Interim County Administrator Alan Howze presented a proposed 2027 budget of $551 million to the Unified Government Board of Commissioners on Thursday, Aug. 6, and made fiscal discipline its cornerstone. “We have had expenses that have exceeded our revenues over a period of time, and that is not sustainable,” he […]
Tag: Unified Government
Commissioners clear downtown library for demolition
The Unified Government Board of Commissioners voted unanimously on Thursday to allow the demolition of the main public library at 625 Minnesota Avenue, clearing the final local approval the project needed. The board approved two related measures, each on a 9 to 0 vote, with Commissioner Evelyn Hill (District 4) […]
Deadlocked commissioners reach tax compromise after four failed votes
After a long and openly-divided debate that ran through four failed motions, the Unified Government Board of Commissioners voted 6 to 3 Thursday, Jul. 16, to notify the state of its intent exceed the revenue neutral rate. In a compromise to get to the legally required decision, the board capped […]
County administrator David Johnston resigns effective July 5
County Administrator David Johnston has resigned from the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas, the UG announced this week. His departure takes effect Sunday, Jul. 5. Two of the top three executive staff positions are turning over at once, with this announcement following on the heels of […]
Commissioners approve spending $2.66 million in American Royal funds
The Unified Government Board of Commissioners voted 8-2 to approve $2.66 million in one-time spending from American Royal funds at its meeting on Thursday, Jun. 18. The approved allocations send $1 million to grants for economic development and infrastructure, $1 million to repair and replace ditches through Public Works, $300 […]
Family’s stewardship of vacant lot ends development bid
A KCK family’s testimony about how they have maintained a vacant lot behind their home for seven years led the developer who applied to build there to voluntarily withdraw her bid Monday night, exposing a gap in Unified Government Land Bank policy. Mariah Caldwell told the Neighborhood and Community Development […]
Committee restricts World Cup alcohol expansion to bars and restaurants
The Unified Government Economic Development and Finance Standing Committee voted 6 to 1 Monday night to recommend allowing 23-hour alcohol sales during the FIFA World Cup, but only at bars and restaurants. The committee carved gas stations, convenience stores, and liquor stores out of the ordinance after extended debate over […]
Development committee gets update on rewrite of outdated zoning
The Unified Government’s Neighborhood and Community Development standing committee denied a proposed storage facility that conflicted with the Northeast Area Master Plan, approved a batch of land bank applications and received updates on a comprehensive rewrite of the county’s 40-year-old zoning code during its Monday, Mar. 30 meeting. The committee […]
Grocery deal, senior rebate funding advance in packed Finance meeting
The Unified Government’s Economic Development and Finance standing committee approved a letter of intent to reopen the former Merc grocery store under new management, okayed a $4.35 million workforce housing investment from Homefield, increased the industrial revenue bond cap for North Point Development and transferred emergency funds to a surging […]
Pacheco to propose property tax rebate program funded by development
District 5 Commissioner Dr. Carlos Pacheco III will present a property tax relief plan to the Economic Development & Finance Committee on Monday, Mar. 30, that would rebate a portion of property taxes to homeowners whose bills are rising faster than they can absorb, capped at $1,000 per household per […]








