Northeast News
Sept. 17, 2015

KANSAS CITY, Missouri —  Kansas City, Mo., residents are invited to provide direction for the city’s budget planning.

City Council members and the city’s budget staff are inviting residents to provide input on council priorities and a new five-year business plan. The input will also help shape the next annual budget. Residents are invited to participate in one of three Citizen Work Sessions. They will hear a brief overview on budget information and data from citizen satisfaction surveys about resident priorities. Then, they’ll move to breakout groups for discussion where they will prioritize city programs and create their own city budgets.

Participants can expect:

  • A new budget “game” in which citizens prioritize key city programs
  • Access to an expert panel consisting of council members, the City Manager, department directors, assistant city managers, and others who will be available to explain the specifics about the programs that relate to council goals
  • An opportunity for residents to record a 30-second message to city council about views on city priorities
  • First look at new online budget tools/activities to be launched later this fall

In a press release, Scott Wagner, Mayor Pro Tem and Finance Committee Chair, said a holistic, long-term view for a five-year business plan and the city budget helps strengthen Kansas City’s financial outlook.

“The Citizen Workshops are a great opportunity for residents to provide input on the city’s five-year business plan,” Wagner added. “The workshops are designed to focus on high-level prioritizing, not line item debates.”

The input gathered will be used to finalize the five-year Citywide Business Plan, which must be adopted by Nov. 1, 2015. Three identical citizen work sessions are scheduled:

Saturday, Sept. 19 from 9 – 11:30 a.m.
Gregg/Klice Community Center, 1600 John “Buck” O’Neill Way.

Wednesday, Sept. 23 from 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Northland Neighborhoods, Inc., 4420 N.E. Chouteau Trafficway.

Tuesday, Oct. 6 from 6 – 8:30 p.m.
Hillcrest Community Center, 10401 Hillcrest Rd.

Space is limited, reservations are encouraged. To RSVP to reserve your seat at one of the three Citizen Workshops, either email OMB@kcmo.org or call 816-513-1173.