For immediate release: Thursday, January 30, 2025

As part of its shift to Priority-Based Budgeting, Kansas City invites residents to offer feedback via online portal and public meetings to share their priorities on the city's budget. This is an opportunity to learn more about the proposed budget and voice priorities to elected officials.

“Public engagement and feedback on the proposed budget are vital components of our budgeting process.  We want to ensure that the priorities that we have outlined in the Citywide Business Plan continue to be the priorities of residents, businesses and the City,” said 6th District-at-large Councilmember Andrea Bough, Chair of the Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee. 

Unlike traditional budgeting methods that rely on last year’s allocations, Priority-Based Budgeting evaluates each program and service based on its value to the community. This approach focuses on funding essential services that align with residents' needs and interests, ensuring tax dollars are used efficiently and effectively. 

"Priority-based budgeting allows us to move away from simply carrying over expenses from one year to the next and instead budget more responsively, directing resources and dollars to areas important to Kansas City. Public engagement and feedback on the proposed budget are necessary to know the needs of people in our city,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. 

In previous years, the city's budget carried expenses over from one year to the next without a fresh evaluation of their alignment with current priorities. The new model makes budgeting more responsive, directing resources to programs and initiatives that matter most—such as public safety, infrastructure, and community programs—while improving efficiency and accountability. 

"Priority-Based Budgeting ensures we’re investing in what matters most to Kansas Citians. This approach makes us more efficient, accountable, and focused on delivering the best services for our community,” said City Manager Brian Platt. 

Public Budget Meeting Schedule

• Saturday, February 15 | 9:00 a.m. – Noon, Language Access Available Gregg/Klice Community Center – 1600 E 17th Ter, Kansas City, MO 64108
• Monday, February 24 | 6:00 – 8:30 p.m. Auditorium at Woodneath Library Center – 8900 NE Flintlock Road, Kansas City, MO 64157
• Saturday, March 1 | 9:00 a.m. – Noon, Goppert Performing Arts Center at Avila University – 11901 Wornall Rd, Kansas City, MO 64145
• Those who prefer to share their feedback online can do so via the City’s Speak Easy forum.

The proposed budget will be presented to the Kansas City Council and released on February 6, 2025. The budget will also be available online upon release. 

Note: Kansas City’s Office of Language Access (OLA) will provide interpreters for ASL, Spanish, Arabic, Swahili, and Chinese at the 2/15 and 3/1 meetings. Residents requesting interpretation services in these or other languages should contact OLA at (816) 513-1067 or OLA@kcmo.org by 2/7 for the 2/15 meeting and 2/21 for the 3/1 meeting.