UG to Kickoff Community “DotteTalks” Budget Conversations
Published on April 03, 2024
Kansas City, KS – Kicking off this Saturday, April 6 from 3PM to 5PM, the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (UG) invites community members to attend one of five community “DotteTalk” budget conversations. In its third year, these community conversations are hosted across Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas and will allow community members to share their input and ideas on the 2025 budget priorities.
“A key component of the Unified Government’s 2025 Budget Process involves gathering feedback from citizens all over our community,” said Budget Director Reginald Lindsey. “Engaging and listening to our community matters to the Unified Government. We are eager to receive community input and encourage everyone to attend an upcoming DotteTalks.”
Each DotteTalk will include a presentation by the UG Budget, Strategy & Research Team on the financial status for both city and county services, including debt obligations, current spending, revenue, and various challenges currently being faced. Community members are encouraged to weigh in on various options for helping the UG balance the budget as required by state law, in addition to learn about the 2024 Commission priorities: improving infrastructure; fostering economic development; enhancing customer service and communication; and upholding fiscal sustainability.
This first event is being co-hosted with the Rosedale Development Association and will explore options like reducing property taxes or the BPU PILOT while balancing expenditures such as infrastructure, programs, and other key functions of the city and county general fund.
Engage with the 2025 Budget Process: Find a DotteTalk Near You
April 2024 DotteTalks: Community Conversations about our City and County Budget Priorities
City and County Budget Simulator Launched
During each DotteTalk, community members are encouraged to propose their own balanced budget through the budget simulator – an online tool launched on March 28, 2024, for the city and county budgets. Guests will attempt to balance the budget and identify priorities through this online resource. All input shared within the simulator tool and from each meeting will be shared with the UG Commission throughout this budget process. The budget simulator will remain open through April 2024.
To assist with fully understanding the 2025 budget simulator tools, guests will be able to use the newly created budget reference guide that outlines key considerations of the budget and Commission priorities.
2025-budget-simulator-handout-8.5x11_2024.03.26.pdf (wycokck.org)
Public Hearing June 6, 7PM
Along with the engaging community DotteTalks and budget workshops, community members will have the opportunity to provide their comments regarding the 2025 proposed budget during the June 6th full commission public hearing beginning at 7pm.
For more information about the Budget Department, including our online budget data, please visit: Budget – Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City (wycokck.org)
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