Jackson County still can’t agree on what to do with $70M in COVID relief. So we all lose | Opinion
Usually, I don’t agree with public officials using profanity while conducting official business. But Jackson County Legislator Megan Marshall’s use of foul language to drive home an important message Tuesday night is understandable.
Because of petty politics and useless back-and-forth bickering, Jackson County is in danger of forfeiting more than $70 million in federal COVID-19 relief aid. And Marshall has seemingly had enough.
“We have gotten to the point where the (B.S.) has to stop,” she said after a nearly two-hour special meeting held at the downtown Jackson County Courthouse. Amen to that.
When the meeting concluded, Jackson County was no closer to agreeing on how to allocate $70.4 million in American Rescue Plan Act funds than it had been before this week.
For those keeping track at home, Jackson County has spent only 48% of federal relief funds stemming from 2020’s pandemic to date, according to an investment tracker maintained by the National League of Cities. By contrast, Johnson County across the state line has allocated 100% of its ARPA funds, according to NLC data.
This abject failure here in Jackson County to reach any sort of agreement on how to use the money best is simply unacceptable. County residents in need and the community programs that help them deserve better.
And time is running out: A plan on how the funds will be spent must be in place by Dec. 31. Folks, pardon my slang, but that ain’t gonna happen.
That Jackson County stands to lose more than $70 million in federal dollars is beyond disappointing. The ongoing saga is both maddening and discouraging.
Because of a rift between the County Legislature and Executive Frank White, a resolution on how to spend the funds has been difficult to come by.
That isn’t all. Different factions in the legislative body support separate proposals. White has his own plan.
In a statement, White said the plan he supports offers a balanced and responsible solution to this unnecessary brouhaha.
“It would allow the county to reimburse itself for eligible public health and public safety costs, ensuring that we maintain critical services and financial stability,” he said. “At the same time, it would provide opportunities to continue supporting non-profits and community partners in the coming years. While this approach is not ideal, it is the best option left available to the county as we face looming deadlines to allocate these funds.”
On Monday, County Legislator Manny Abarca introduced 30 different ordinances that would split up the ARPA funds. The same day, Marshall introduced an ordinance that would divide the money in thirds over the next three years to increase salaries for county employees, along with other expenditures.
If you’re confused by all these proposals, don’t worry — you are not alone. In recent months, there have been way too many iterations of plans on how to spend the money to keep track. The incessant squabbling is enough to make a sane person’s head spin.
In this hard-to-fathom fight among the county’s legislators and top executive, there are no clear winners. The impasse only hurts Jackson Countians and the dozen or so community-based programs and organizations that stand to benefit from this one-time infusion of cash.
These ARPA funds are meant to aid in Jackson County’s recovery from a global health emergency. It really shouldn’t be this hard to come to an agreement.
“Compromise is compromise,” Marshall said. “One side is not going to get everything they want.” Ring the bell.
The money must be used by the end of the year — clearly, that isn’t even a remote possibility at this point — or sent back to Washington, D.C. And if that does come to pass, it would be unfortunate.
In an open letter from a coalition of nine community groups and Next Page KC publisher Eric Wesson to White, the former Kansas City Royals great was urged to spend the money wisely.
“County Executive White, history will judge this moment,” the letter read. “Your legacy will be shaped by whether you choose to rise above personal and political differences to act in the best interest of the people you were elected to serve.
White is a longtime county executive who still enjoys a great deal of popularity in the community. That much cannot be denied. Will this impasse destroy his legacy, as the coalition alluded to in its letter? Not likely.
But it would be beneficial to all Jackson Countians if White and legislators could come together and finally end this yearslong fight over COVID-19 relief funds.
This story was originally published December 11, 2024 at 5:06 AM.
