http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kcur/local-kcur-885075.mp3
Kansas City, Mo. – Strong budget! The assessment of the acting city manager's budget for the next fiscal year, delivered by Kansas City Mayor Mark Funkhouser. He would add what he calls some small items. They would total $1.5 million.
The mayor tells members of the city council he'd improve street maintenance, expand automated trash pickup to the whole central city and make code enforcement more efficient. And to finance the additions, the mayor would eliminate funding for the Truman Sports Complex--"And in the circumstances that we're in, contending with the budget problems we have, I think it's the best thing for the region if Kansas City takes care of itself and takes care of its families."
This is a proposal sure not to heal any rift with Jackson County Government.
The chief aide to the Jackson County Executive, Calvin Williford reacted, saying he was certain the city council would not agree to the cut.
The city reduced the stadium budget by a third of a million dollars last year. This year the city expects to be short of its budget needs by some $65 million.
By informal agreement, the city has paid $2 million a year to help finance the Truman Sports Complex.