KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The Kansas City, Missouri, City Council approved a new $1.7 billion budget on Thursday.
The budget is for fiscal year 2020-21, which starts May 1.
According to the city, $4.8 million of the budget will go toward implementing free bus fare for passengers.
Other pieces of the budget include $496.5 million for public safety; $144.2 million for public works; $79.5 million for neighborhood and housing services; $500,000 for small businesses harmed by COVID-19 restrictions; restored funding for the KC Film Commission; and funding to extend the earnings tax deadline to July 15 without penalties and interest.
The public safety portion of the budget increased $16.8 million from the 2019-20 fiscal year.
“When working to adjust a budget in an uncertain time, we cannot first look to cut the very services our working class families rely on," Mayor Quinton Lucas said in a release. "I am proud that this Council has remained committed to funding the priorities everyday Kansas Citians need, including tenants’ rights, mental health, free buses, road infrastructure and supporting our police and firefighters."
According to the city, a hiring freeze and limited-term contracts for consultants also were implemented and could be reevaluated in 60 days.
