‘We’re wasting time’: Frustration mounts with Jackson County Legislators amid lack of decision on ARPA funds

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - With less than a month left in the year, the clock is ticking for Jackson County to come to a decision on how to spend over $70 million in COVID relief dollars from the federal government.

“The reality is we are out of time,” said 4th District Legislator DaRon McGee. “There is no alternate deadline at this point. We can’t get this money out on the street because you don’t have enough time to do a request for proposal to community groups and municipalities.”

At Monday’s Jackson County legislative meeting, concern and frustration were voiced among legislators as an agreement has not been able to be reached between them and Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr.

White Jr. was not at the meeting, citing a family emergency. As the meeting was starting, his office released a statement reading in part:

“With less than 30 days remaining until the end of the year, the time to issue a solicitation, grade responses and draft contracts has ed,” said White. “However, I remain committed to working with legislators to implement a plan that ensures every dollar of ARPA funding is used appropriately and no funds are sent back to the federal government.”

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It was a statement several legislators didn’t agree with.

“It’s a lie,” said McGee. “He is not committed to working with legislators. It’s been his way or the highway, and unfortunately, it’s been at the expense of residents of this county. It’s not benefiting anyone. He is playing chicken with the citizens of Jackson County.”

McGee noted White rarely comes to meetings.

“When he does come, it’s grandstanding and he’s talking in circles,” said McGee. “Unfortunately, this is what the county legislature is left to deal with: an inactive, absent county executive.”

McGee said it’s something that has caused concern for cities in the county.

“We just met today with the mayor of Buckner,” said McGee. “They won’t have the opportunity to fulfill their municipal needs because of a crisis that was created by the County Executive.”

In his statement, White said he is collaborating with legislators on a plan to ensure ARPA funds are deployed effectively, with funding opportunities potentially extending into 2025 and 2026.

“While it is unfortunate that we find ourselves in this position, it is far better to take a careful and thoughtful approach than to repeat mistakes of the past or misuse these funds,” White said in his statement released on Monday. “The people of Jackson County deserve nothing less than a commitment to transparency, ability and effectiveness.”

At the legislative meeting, the County Executive’s Office stated White would come up with a plan at a later time. When District 2 At-Large Legislator Donna Peyton stated they have been told there are other options and pushed for more information on those options, the County Executive’s Office stated they don’t have additional information to share at this time.

“Why aren’t the other options clearly outlined today?” asked Peyton. “We have reached a point where we are very close to sending that money back.”

In the meeting, McGee expressed frustration, saying he was concerned with how they will move forward and how after listening to the County’s Executive’s Office, it felt like they were going in circles.

“We have been asking for a plan for ARPA for over a year and the County Executive has impeded and obstructed that process from day 1,” said McGee, following the meeting. “All for a building that most of the public will never see.”

Those federal dollars must be spent by the end of the year or returned to the federal government. McGee says he doesn’t want the county to lose that money.

“Our best hope to keep this money in Jackson County is to cumber those funds, reimburse ourselves for services already rendered, and try to come up with a plan B after the New Year.”

The next legislators meeting is set for next Monday, Dec. 9 at the Eastern Jackson County Courthouse in Independence, Missouri.

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