Last year, Mayor Tyrone Garner delivered a stark warning about Wyandotte County’s future in his State of the Unified Government address. This year, in what will be one of his final major speeches after announcing he won’t seek reelection, Garner’s message struck a more hopeful – if cautious – tone.
“I am pleased to announce that for the time being, because of the work of so many people that were committed to doing what is necessary, the State of our Government has been stabilized,” Garner told the crowd gathered at Memorial Hall.
Although our financials still remain fragile, we are definitely in a better position than we were last year.
MAYOR TYRONE GARNER
However, the mayor was quick to temper optimism with reality.
“I am cautiously optimistic, as there are still many challenges which pose grave threats to this fragile position,” said Garner.
The speech highlighted both progress and persistent challenges facing Wyandotte County. While celebrating economic development wins and improved financial management, Garner acknowledged ongoing struggles with infrastructure, poverty, and economic disparities.
“Outside of the jewel of Village West, as mayor I see what all of us see: pockets of blight, a rising cost of living, failing infrastructure, an influx of homelessness, burdensome taxes, questionable BPU bill fees,” Garner said, adding that the eastern portion of the community “has been shamefully disinvested, redlined, and disenfranchised into total desperation and utter despair.”
Financial Progress
Garner said the UG has made significant strides in addressing its financial challenges:
- Removed the projected fiscal cliff for 2026-2028
- Limited use of debt and reserves to balance budgets
- Approved moving $1.4 million into financial reserves
- Implemented a plan to use 25% of future development funds for debt reduction
- Maintained revenue-neutral budget for 2025 without layoffs or service cuts
“Although our financials still remain fragile, we are definitely in a better position than we were last year,” said Garner.
BPU Relief and Property Taxes
Addressing two major concerns for residents – high utility bills and property taxes – Garner outlined several initiatives.
The Commission approved decreasing the BPU PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) from 11.9% to under 10.9% in the 2025 budget. Garner said he and the administrator are “exploring possibilities of how best to get the PILOT down to a 6 percent average.”
While the 2025 revenue-neutral budget won’t decrease property taxes, Garner said it will “put a pressure point on property tax increases.”
(With property appraisal values increasing, revenue neutral sets the tax levy at a lower amount that generates the same amount of property tax income as the year before, so the amount paid out by individual property owners remains basically the same as the year before. )
Development and Investment
The county saw $852 million in investments this year – the fourth-best year in county history – bringing the total since 2022 to $1.2 billion. Garner reports that over 200 new businesses applied for licenses this year.
Notable developments include:
- New multi-family housing in Rosedale and downtown
- Proposals for redeveloping 4th/Minnesota and Indian Springs Mall
- Opening of Homefield, Hollywood Casino, Margaritaville Resort
- General Motors’ commitment to manufacture electric vehicles in Fairfax
- Plans for Mattel theme park and Buc-ees
Parks and Infrastructure
The UG completed $8.9 million in park improvements, with nine ribbon cuttings including:
- St. Margaret’s Trail
- Quindaro Basketball Court
- Clifton Park Splash Pad
- Multiple basketball and pickleball courts
- Bridal Trail improvements
“This continues to be an all-hands-on deck period,” said Garner. “We must remain vigilant and steadfast to never allow ourselves to slip back to embracing the familiar failed policies and practices that brought about many of the challenges we face today.”
East Side Investment
A new committee will soon begin work on recommendations to redevelop areas east of I-635, including the Northeast, Downtown, the Hills, Argentine, Armourdale, Rosedale, and the bottoms.
The plan includes “a long overdue vision for the revitalization and stabilization of the Quindaro Ruins, as well as an exciting vision for a multi-million dollar, multi-faceted Kansas River front economic development project,” Garner said.
Last year, County Administrator David Johnston emphasized the importance of seizing current opportunities, particularly regarding the Quindaro Ruins.
“We all recognize that the political stars are aligned today,” Johnston said. “For a short window, we have the federal government, state government, the UG, and the owners of the ruins thinking the same way.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the progress, Garner stressed that much work remains.
“None of us have a monopoly on finding solutions, and it will take more than just the Unified Government to bring about the changes our residents both demand and deserve,” he said.
The UG plans to launch a comprehensive community survey in 2025 to gather feedback about priorities and service satisfaction.
“This information will clarify what works and what doesn’t – directly guiding our budget process,” said Garner.
As he prepares to leave office, Garner remained optimistic about the county’s future while acknowledging the work ahead.
“We are moving forward with no intention of ever going backwards,” said Garner. “The best is in plain sight for us to seize and, yes, your Unified Government is stabilized, back on track, and ready to deliver for our community.”
