KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – The Kansas City Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee added $8 million to a road resurfacing project Tuesday. The FY27 submitted budget had previously allocated $30.9 million for street resurfacing contracts.
Mayor Quinton Lucas told KCTV5 in February that cuts to other city departments could mean people may have to wait longer to get repaving done. But Mayor Lucas reversed course and introduced an $8.5 million amendment to the existing $30.9 million resurfacing budget.
That brings the total amount to be spent over the next year to nearly $40 million. The budget amendments passed out of committee, but not all members supported the changes, as tax increment financing will be used to help with the increase.
Council members divided on priorities
“And that’s potholes resurfacing 318 square miles and we don’t have enough money to do that. We have these surplus dollars so we should put it into resurfacing,” said Melissa Robinson, city councilwoman for the 3rd District.
Councilwoman Lindsay French questioned the approach.
“And it goes beyond street resurfacing so just using the money for street resurfacing just kind of band aiding this infrastructure. The need goes well beyond that,” French said.
Councilman Wes Rogers said he would support the amendment.
“I will be proud to support this amendment so we can have buses that councilman Curls and I will say we hardly get them in the northland because we don’t have any but we need them city wide. We need resurfacing city wide,” Rogers said.
The budget will go to the full council, which could happen as soon as Thursday.
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