KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, City Manager’s office has requested a 4.5% budget cut citywide due to the economic impacts of COVID-19.
As Kansas City, Missouri, officials start to grapple with the budget impacts, city departments are putting together how revenue shortfalls could affect their budgets.
During Tuesday’s Kansas City, Missouri, Board of Police Commissioners meeting, officials discussed the impacts of a 4.5 percent cut to KCPD’s budget.
"To come up with these kinds of numbers, there is just only one way to do that and that is personnel," KCPD Chief Rick Smith said. "We have some things that we have talked about – implementing other programs to maybe get people to retire early, incentive packages, something of that nature."
While the city hasn’t mandated any cuts, the police department said a 4.5 percent cut would trim $10.6 million from its budget.
In a tweet, Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Quinton Lucas noted that 86.5 percent of KCPD’s budget goes to salaries. The $10.6 million shortfall could lead to the reduction in nearly 200 positions, closing a police station or reducing station staffing.
Kicked off a bit late today, but will try to live tweet for you since it's a conference call. Thus far, we are in Chief Smith's presentation. Each month, after commendations and such, the Chief starts discussion. Thus far, talk on youth initiatives and body cam technology. https://t.co/LcGPaV0KfI
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) June 16, 2020
Receiving questions on the ask by the City Manager to all city departments, including PD, FD, Public Works, Housing, etc., to find 4.5% in cost savings due to tax revenue declines. These will be part of options presented late June to City Council on budget challenges post-COVID. https://t.co/7Syqnv3OSM pic.twitter.com/URMCapcjtk
— Mayor Q (@QuintonLucasKC) June 16, 2020
A city spokesperson cited impacts from the coronavirus pandemic as the reason behind asking departments to evaluate the impacts of a cut.
Smith said he is worried about the long-term effects this cut could have.
"I am worried because the moves we make today will effect this department not just today, but several years down the road," Smith said.
Any possible cuts would first be debated by the city’s Finance and Governance Committee, which is set to meet next Wednesday.
Discussion also is slated for next Thursday’s Kansas City, Missouri, City Council Business Session.
