Budget cuts leave commissioners concerned

Posted by Nick Sloan on July 26, 2010 - 6:56am
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Budget cuts in next year's Unified Government are leaving some commissioners concerned on how they're being administered and who receives the brunt of the cuts.

The cuts span across most departments within the county government as part of a 20 percent "across the board" cut.

Among specific items receiving a cut:

  • A study has been introduced to examine the possibility of eliminating routes. There are no plans to immediately reduce routes as of right now.
  • There would be cuts in snow removal and street maintenance.
  • Cuts in meal service provided by the Meals on Wheels program. The meals will be targeted for those only 60 years old or older.
  • WIth no fair being held within Wyandotte County this year, the UG will not fund the fair, other than the costs of ribbons and awards, which are mandated by the state.
  • A 20 percent cut for the Wyandot Mental Health department.
  • The Wyandotte County Extension services will be cut by 20 percent.
  • The UG and BPU are considering consolidating its fund for federal lobbying.

While the cuts are spread department-wide, two commissioners expressed considerable concern for the cuts in transportation, the meals program and other services that receive some UG funding.

"This is another impact on the disabled population," said commissioner Pat Pettey. "That's a very vulnerable population also being impacted by state reductions."

Commissioner Nathan Barnes said the budget, along with hurting those with lower income, indirectly punishes the northern portion of Wyandotte County.

"This is hurtful," he said. "Too much of this is pointed towards the north and the direction of those who need our services more. I can't vote for a budget like this."

Budget discussions involving law-enforcement and other items were pushed off until this week, where three separate budget workshops will be held.

"It's going to be a tough task at hand," said UG Mayor/CEO Joe Reardon. "It's pretty obvious that's not going to be an easy task. It's going to be important and instructive. There's not a commissioner around this table who wants to cut."

Posted by kathy evans on July 26, 2010 - 8:17am
please don't cut the police or fire department police gave up their raises last time. how about cutting top officials pay hays? snow removal was awful last year if the sun didn't shine we still would have snow! I am glad to see the parks have water foutains for the children this year they are always packed. where is all the money going from the legends and the cassinoes? Weren't they suppose to help with the money for wy?
Posted by S H on July 26, 2010 - 8:43am
County unemployment isnt high enough I guess. You would think in a county as small as WYCO they would be able to keep a decent bus service running with WYCO residents instead of giving the routes to the Metro like they did the State Ave runs.
Posted by thor the dog on July 26, 2010 - 11:24am
All the KCK bus drivers I have seen, and I see them alot, as they make stops throughout the day where I work, are all driving new buses. So they obviously had the money to buy new, and larger buses, (that don't have alot of passengers.) We do need the buses, particularly in KCK, as alot of people don't have cars, but they should have repaired the old buses. The city also had alot of money to waste buying all those houses on 78th street, and tearing them down. For what, no one seems to know. We just wanted the street resurfaced, and the lights set for the flow of traffic at 78th & I-70, instead of against the traffic like they have always been. Please city officials or Nick Sloan, let us know why they tore out houses on both sides of the street, and what we paid for that.