WYCO Residents: Voice Your Opinion About Unified Government

The Mayors of the three largest Wyandotte County cities last month formed a government efficiency task force that will examine the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, KS. 

The task force is hosting five neighborhood discussions in the coming weeks to gather input from residents about the UG. The recommendations from these task force meetings will be submitted to the UG’s 11-member Board of Commissioners, which may include proposals for de-consolidating the governments of KCK and WYCO.

“What has served you well over the last 25 years, and what improvements need to be made?” asked Edwardsville Mayor Carolyn Caiharr during a press conference outside Memorial Hall in downtown KCK. “We are not only looking for complaints but solutions.”

The meetings come in response to mounting financial issues and concerns about the efficiency and accountability of the existing government. Mayor of KCK and the UG Tyrone Garner says the financial situation is such that the Unified Government could go bankrupt by 2026.

The UG was established in 1997 after WYCO residents voted in favor of consolidating their government with KCK’s. The move promised to help struggling KCK by merging with what was viewed as a more stable county government and as a way to bring about a more efficient and cost-effective government structure. 

Many, including the three mayors who formed the task force, feel that unification of the governments hasn’t lived up to its promise. 

What do you Think About the Unified Government? 

If you’d like to share your experience with the Unified Government of KCK and Wyandotte County, you are encouraged to attend one of the neighborhood meetings listed below. Seating is limited and registration is required. 

Thurs, Nov. 16, 6 p.m.

Bonner Springs City Library

201 N. Nettleton Ave, Bonner Springs

Register here: https://bit.ly/47edCOx 

Mon, Nov. 20, 6 p.m.

Edwardsville Community Center

696 S. Third St, Edwardsville

Register here: https://bit.ly/3QAnNGd 

Tue, Nov. 28, 6 p.m.

KCK Public Library Main Branch

625 Minnesota Ave, KCK

Register here: https://bit.ly/479JnbJ 

Thu, Nov. 30, 6 p.m.

KCK Public Library West Branch

1737 N. 82nd St, KCK

Register here: https://bit.ly/3svu4ej 

Thu, Dec. 7, 6 p.m.

KCK Public Library South Branch

3104 Strong Ave, KCK

Register here: https://bit.ly/3QH6fZ2 

To follow updates and meeting times of the task force, the mayors formed a Facebook page called Unified Residents of Wyandotte County – see it at https://tinyurl.com/3ztv982n.