Fifteen people told the Unified Government tonight what they want done with their tax money.
Some, including former City Councilman Chester Owens and Carolyn Wyatt, said they wanted more programs at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center. Currently, according to the residents, there is not much funding for programs. Owens said youth who live in the area need a place to go for recreation, seniors need a place to exercise and the community needs a place for meetings.
The Heartland Black Chamber of Commerce proposed an initiative for small business owners here. According to members of the Heartland chamber, none of the agencies that provide services for small business owners is in Wyandotte County. Kira McConico said there was a need for one here. Christal Watson of the Heartland chamber pointed out the need to support small minority and women-owned businesses.
Several people attended the meeting in support of the Quindaro Development Corp. Eugene Jackson said the group is asking for funds to clean up the area, sweep the streets, top the trees, remove dead trees, remove blighted buildings and enforce codes in the northeast area. Jackson also asked for a way to get information about available UG programs to residents who do not have computers.
Later in the meeting, Commissioner Gayle Townsend, who represents the 1st District, said that they were asking for money to do what the UG already should be doing, upkeep, code enforcement and demolition.
There was also a request for support of the former Vernon Multi-Purpose Center, now the Quindaro Underground Railroad Museum.
Edgar Galicia, executive director of the Central Avenue Betterment Association, discussed UG rules and regulations about having enough parking that have caused several businesses to leave Central Avenue.
Chuck Schlittler, executive director of the Downtown Shareholders, and Lynn Kuluva, chairman of the board, asked for an increase in funding for the 2018 year. The UG approves the budget for the downtown improvement district, which taxes property owners downtown to provide extra services. The district will be adding new banners downtown in 2017, as well as landscaping in 2018, Kuluva said.
Jerry Jones represented the Wyandotte County safety net clinics. The clinics provide the only access to qualify health care available for some residents here, he said. In 20167, the safety net clinics treated 22,994 patients, and there were 57,786 patient visits, he said.
“We provided top-notch medical care to each regardless of their ability to pay,” he said. Fifty-five percent had no insurance, he added.
“We’re asking for serious consideration to be given to establishing a line item within the budget, establishing care to the most socially vulnerable patients here in Wyandotte County,” Jones said.
Murrel Bland, the executive director of Business West, asked the UG Commission for a property tax reduction in 2018.
“Property taxes are a major concern for most of our members,” he said. “One of the major drawbacks in attracting new businesses and residents is high property taxes.”
Mayor Mark Holland pointed out that the UG reduced the property tax rate by 2 mills in 2017.
Marcia Rupp spoke in favor of more funding for the police department.
“Proactive policing is the only thing that comes close to stopping crime, putting police in areas that really need attention,” she said.
Rodney Easterwood, who has painted a mural 7th and Quindaro, proposed that the UG back three murals to be painted in the community. The murals would be inspiring and they would beautify the city, he said.
The public hearing was for the UG’s budget, and also for Community Development funds. There will be another public hearing on the Community Development Block Grant funds on April 6. The UG’s proposed budget will be presented July 6, according to UG officials, and another public hearing is expected before the budget is adopted.