Kansas City, Missouri – Kansas City leaders have revealed a proposed $2.5 billion municipal budget for the 2026–27 fiscal year. This will lead to weeks of public discussion and City Council consideration before a final decision later this spring.
On February 12, Mayor Quinton Lucas and City Manager Mario Vasquez discussed about the spending plan. They said it was a careful balance between being financially responsible and continuing to invest in important services. The approach cuts the city’s expected General Fund shortfall by a lot, from around $100 million to about $55 million, by making the budget tighter and planning for the long run.
Even with that cut, the plan sends new money to regions that citizens repeatedly say are their top priority. The main parts of the proposal are public safety, infrastructure, housing, and services for neighborhoods. The money would also help pay for nearly 200 new jobs related to public safety, which city officials believe will make the city safer for both residents and visitors.
Lucas noted that the budget’s main goal is to make life better in Kansas City, with affordability, safety, and economic opportunity as the main themes. Vasquez said that the administration is focused on sustainability and transparency. He also said that the idea intends to keep services reliable while also keeping the budget in under control.
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The city’s Priority-Based Budgeting framework, which is based on data and aimed at evaluating how well programs help the community reach its goals, will also be fully used for the first time this year. Officials argue that this method helps decision-makers better use their limited resources on the services that are most important.
Andrea Bough, chair of the City Finance Committee, said that the idea was the start of a larger community discussion about basic services, housing needs, and long-term economic growth.
As council members work toward final acceptance, residents will have opportunities to give comments via department briefings and public hearings that are coming up in the next few weeks.
For more information about the FY 2026–27 budget and upcoming public engagement opportunities, visit kcmo.gov/budget.
