Wyandotte County residents will not see an increase in their property tax bills this year, but the county must cut $12 million from its budget to make it happen.”It may not be relief, but right now, it’s at least pushing the pause button,” said Unified Government Commissioner At-Large Melissa Bynum. The decision comes with significant financial trade-offs. Due to inflation, the Unified Government will need to cut $12 million from its budget, impacting various services.The city will reduce the frequency of mowing vacant lots and cut back on bus services.Additionally, the fire department must cut $1.4 million, and the police department will reduce services by $2 million.Four commissioners voted against the budget, citing long-term financial repercussions.”This hit is going to continue on for a couple more years,” Commissioner Mike Kane said. “This isn’t just going to happen in 2025. It’s going to affect us in 2026 and we’re going to have to recoup it.”Unified Government Mayor/CEO Tyrone Garner emphasized the need for efficiency and innovation in light of the budget cuts.”This is a first step because what it is forcing us to do, is to really take a hard look, not just at what we’re doing but how we are doing it,” Garner said. “And for us to streamline and be innovative.”Leaders say that there will be no layoffs. Instead, it will not fill vacant positions and will cut overtime to manage the budget constraints.
Wyandotte County residents will not see an increase in their property tax bills this year, but the county must cut $12 million from its budget to make it happen.
“It may not be relief, but right now, it’s at least pushing the pause button,” said Unified Government Commissioner At-Large Melissa Bynum.
The decision comes with significant financial trade-offs.
Due to inflation, the Unified Government will need to cut $12 million from its budget, impacting various services.
The city will reduce the frequency of mowing vacant lots and cut back on bus services.
Additionally, the fire department must cut $1.4 million, and the police department will reduce services by $2 million.
Four commissioners voted against the budget, citing long-term financial repercussions.
“This hit is going to continue on for a couple more years,” Commissioner Mike Kane said. “This isn’t just going to happen in 2025. It’s going to affect us in 2026 and we’re going to have to recoup it.”
Unified Government Mayor/CEO Tyrone Garner emphasized the need for efficiency and innovation in light of the budget cuts.
“This is a first step because what it is forcing us to do, is to really take a hard look, not just at what we’re doing but how we are doing it,” Garner said. “And for us to streamline and be innovative.”
Leaders say that there will be no layoffs.
Instead, it will not fill vacant positions and will cut overtime to manage the budget constraints.
