Returning 70 Million Bucks To Feds Will Ruin Jackson County Exec

Time is quickly running out for the courthouse to allocate old school COVID relief money. Even worse, all of the Kansas City metro might soon get a look at a level of local government dysfunction that might resonate across the nation.

Insiders . . . 

JACKSON COUNTY NOW NEEDS EMERGENCY MEETINGS & QUICK COMPROMISE OR 70 MILLION BUCKS WORTH OF FUNDING RETURNS TO THE FEDS!!!

The inside word . . .

"Here's what you're missing TKC . . . There's work beyond allocations & this isn't something that the Exec or the Legislature can get done in an afternoon. In fact, they're already behind schedule and even if they had a compromise ready right now there would be a struggle to make sure the funds were secured. If they can't put their heads together and come up with a compromise . . . We're talking about a NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT that'll be picked up by every political show in the country. Beyond that, every city in Jackson County will justifiably have a vendetta against everyone involved for this kind of waste.

"Here's the kicker TKC: This isn't just a possibility. It's starting to look LIKELY that the money will have to be forfeited and that might be the point . . . If 70 MILLION is returned on Exec Frank White's Watch . . . It will ruin his career. It could justify the new efforts for a recall and will undoubtedly conclude his political career.

"For better worse the power at the courthouse resides in the Executive's office and with that comes responsibility . . . Most people can't name their county rep but they know Frank White and it's not speculation to say that he has the most to lose if this thing falls apart." 

In the meantime . . . There's at least one big meeting/showdown planned with the option for more until time runs out.

Here's a quick round-up of the sitch from MSM . . .

A decision needs to be made by December 31 and legislators on both sides fear the deal won’t be done in time.

“By December 31st we must be in contracts which means we actually have a lot more work to do beyond identifying the priorities of which they are suggesting oh there wasn’t a transparent process we must go through procurement we’ve been told procurement is 45 days in this building we are running out of literal time,” said Legislator Abarca. He added, “If we don’t have this money appropriated by December 1st it is done there is nothing else we can do.”

County Executive White feels they can get something finished.

“I feel confident that we can come to some sort of agreement I just think what we have to do now is just get the five legislators who are opposed to what we are trying to do on board and at least get one of them to say this is a good deal and let’s move forward,” said County Executive White.

Legislator Anderson said if the money were to be lost, this could create problems in the future for Jackson County to get federal funding.

The legislature is scheduled for its next meeting on December 2

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

KCTV5: Jackson County Executive offers over $32 million for American Rescue Plan Act

Fox4: Five Jackson County legislators cancel meeting on ARPA funding

KCTV5: Jackson County leaders struggle to agree on issuing $70M in COVID funds as deadline nears

Developing . . .