KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Jackson County Legislature moved Tuesday to pass 26 ordinances to allocate over $70 million in American Rescue Plan (ARPA) funding.
The action came after weeks of debate and disagreements between legislators on how best to use the money.
Ordinances passed Tuesday would use the money for community services provided by nonprofits across the Kansas City area.
Additionally, the funds would be used for municipal improvement projects.
Despite the passage, County Executive Frank White Jr. was concerned with the ordinances legislators passed. He has the power to veto those measures within 10 days.
White sent a letter Monday proposing a compromise of spending half the ARPA funds on community-based projects and the other half on county projects, like infrastructure.
The legislature is expected to meet at noon Wednesday to allocate an additional $4 million in ARPA funds.
Legislator Sean Smith said allocating the additional money will give White a "buffet" of options to choose from when it comes to deciding what to veto.
If the funding is not used by Dec. 31, it will be returned to the federal government.
Here's a list of the ordinances the legislature passed Tuesday:
| Ordinance 5913 | Broadband implementation program via the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation. | $300,000 |
| Ordinance 5914 | Childcare facility improvements at Consuming Fire Ministries, Grandview School District, Kansas City Autism Training Center, Kansas City Public Schools, Mattie Rhodes Center and United Inner City Services. | $3,604,447 |
| Ordinance 5915 | Improvements to community spaces and parks at 18 locations. | $12,460,290 |
| Ordinance 5916 | Fund seven crime prevention programs. | $1,180,112 |
| Ordinance 5918 | Foreclosure prevention programs at Community Services League of Jackson County, Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City, Heartland Center for Jobs and Freedom, and Mattie Rhodes Center. | $1,363,400 |
| Ordinance 5919 | Homeownership rehab programs at the city of Grandview, Jerusalem Farm and KC Unidos Federal Credit Union. | $675,000 |
| Ordinance 5921 | Contribute to 15 individual outside agencies. | $4,035,800 |
| Ordinance 5923 | Homeless prevention initiatives at 14 different agencies. | $2,301,601 |
| Ordinance 5924 | Justice diversion programs at Connections to Success and Hickman Mills C-1 School District. | $149,980 |
| Ordinance 5925 | Senior citizen programs at seven locations. | $2,101,259 |
| Ordinance 5927 | Senior home repairs with the city of Raytown, Jerusalem Farm, Northwest CDC, and Twelfth Street Heritage Development Corporation. | $600,000 |
| Ordinance 5928 | Small business and nonprofit loans through the city of Kansas City, Community Capital Fund and Prospect Business Association. | $1,745,500 |
| Ordinance 5929 | Veteran housing projects at Footprints, Inc. and Habitat for Humanity of Kansas City. | $506,238 |
| Ordinance 5931 | Fund a sidewalk project along Highway 40. | $1,000,000 |
| Ordinance 5932 | Park and playground construction at Blue Summit Park. | $250,000 |
| Ordinance 5933 | Emergency water plant stabilization project in the city of Buckner. | $6,000,000 |
| Ordinance 5934 | Funds to match a grant to pay for improvements to Blue Ridge Boulevard in Grandview. | $3,000,000 |
| Ordinance 5935 | Improvements to the community center, vacant lots, and parks in Levasy. | $1,126,650 |
| Ordinance 5937 | Improvements to McCoy Park in Independence. | $250,000 |
| Ordinance 5940 | Kansas City Fire Department headquarters improvements. | $5,000,000 |
| Ordinance 5941 | Lee's Summit joint emergency operations center project. | $5,000,000 |
| Ordinance 5942 | Metropolitan Community College's auto tech campus project. | $2,000,000 |
| Ordinance 5944 | Improvements to the Tarsney Lake Dam. | $300,000 |
| Ordinance 5947 | Pedestrian bridge project in Sugar Creek. | $1,000,000 |
| Ordinance 5948 | Give Visit KC assistance with the 2026 World Cup. | $10,000,000 |
| Ordinance 5950 | Assist Kansas City with the redevelopment of Parade Park. | $5,000,000 |
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