KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The scourge of the coronavirus pandemic has reached city budgets.
Kansas City, Missouri, finance officials say the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic has left the city in a $50-million hole in the current fiscal year’s budget.
On Thursday, the City Council authorized cuts across the city of 4.5%. Cuts to the police and fire departments were capped at 2.25%. Those cuts will save the city $23.6 million.
While no positions are affected in the police department, cuts announced Thursday included leaving 53 vacant positions open across other departments citywide and eliminating 13 positions.
Additionally, the city will stop mowing in rural areas and cut back on mowing for parks and boulevards. Tree-trimming also will be affected.
As part of the primary cost-savings efforts, the city’s Public Works Department will attempt to provide existing services without filling current vacancies.
With fewer employees overall, city officials say there will be fewer staff for snow-plowing efforts this winter. Department leaders are “exploring options” on how to maintain current snow-plowing levels.
In order to make up the remaining $26.4-million shortfall, the city will dip into its reserve fund for $12 million and expand its current hiring freeze, which would free up another $4.8 million.
Measures also call for a one-week furlough for “most” city employees. The council’s Finance Committee will review the scope of the furloughs.
Additionally, the city will cut $2 million from the Neighborhood and Housing Services Department, though officials say there won’t be a reduction in recycling collection.
A city spokesperson said in a release that budget cuts could have been worse if not for the city’s rainy day fund and diverse sources of revenue.
