Kansas City Legislators Skip Key Meeting, Raising Concerns Over Leadership and ARPA Fund Allocation

Kansas City Confusion as Jackson County Legislators Skip Key Meeting

In a surprising turn of events Wednesday, the Jackson County Legislature found itself unable to conduct business due to a lack of attendance from a majority of legislators. This unexpected absence left many scratching their heads and raised eyebrows across the community.

What Happened?

Legislators Manny Abarca, Sean Smith, Venessa Hussey, Donna Peyton, and DaRon McGee decided to skip the meeting entirely, opting to pen a letter to Chairwoman Jeanie Lauer explaining their absence. In this letter, they emphasized their efforts to work collaboratively to prioritize the allocation of an impressive $70.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds. The group feels that they have managed to go beyond party lines and geographic boundaries in their approach.

“This diverse group of legislators were successful in passing the only ordinance appropriating the $70.4 million, and a companion resolution allocating these funds to disadvantaged communities,” the letter proudly stated. It seems that coming to a common agreement wasn’t exactly a walk in the park, as they admitted that the consensus “did not come easily.”

A Call for Unity

The legislators urged Chairwoman Lauer to recognize the will of the majority and expressed their concerns about her leadership. They accused her of failing to build a consensus and claimed she has been working closely with County Executive Frank White Jr. “to steamroll his priorities.” The group expressed their belief that Wednesday’s meeting was merely a ploy designed to pressure legislators into backing Resolution 21811 — a move they deemed unfavorable.

The letter painted a vivid picture of their frustrations, alleging that the meeting was intended to force them to yield under pressure. They made it clear they believe the real issue lies with Lauer’s “failure to act in a timely fashion.” The legislators cautioned that by ignoring previously passed ordinances and resolutions related to ARPA funding, the chairwoman was losing sight of the critical needs of municipalities, agencies, and services that support local citizens.

What’s Next?

Looking ahead, the group expressed their willingness to engage in “real compromise, real solutions, and real legislative solutions” to address what they termed as the “orchestrated crisis” created by Lauer and White. But until that happens, the tension continues to mount.

In response to the legislators’ letter, County Executive White shared his disappointment, stating, “Today, the Jackson County Legislature had the chance to take meaningful action on the remaining $70.4 million in ARPA funds — federal dollars that could be transformative for our community.” White lamented that the decision to skip the meeting only delays critical decisions that are essential to meeting the needs of the community. He also stressed that with the next meeting scheduled for December 2, 2024, there would be a tight window of less than 30 days to create the necessary processes to utilize these funds.

“This is not just a missed opportunity — it’s a failure of leadership,” he remarked, emphasizing his openness to compromise but also stating, “compromise requires partners.”

What’s at Stake?

The missteps during this meeting bring more than just political squabbles to light. They raise questions about how effectively the allocated funds can be utilized to aid those in need. With pressing issues facing many communities, the delay in action might have lasting implications.

As Kansas City residents watch events unfold, they may find themselves wondering how these legislative actions—or lack thereof—will affect their daily lives. The next meeting promises to be a crucial opportunity for dialogue, and whether real progress can be achieved remains to be seen.

For now, it appears that the Jackson County Legislature has a long way to go in tidying up their differences and figuring out how to best serve the community they were elected to support. Let’s hope they can come together to turn things around before it’s too late!