Updates and outcomes from MARC's December Board meetings

Jan 03, 2023
| Posted in
News
A photo of the Kansas City, Missouri, cityscape.

Thanks to everyone who joined the MARC Board of Directors and Budget and Personnel Committee meetings on Dec. 20. 

We’re sharing selected highlights from the meetings for your awareness and use in regional conversations. The MARC Board heard a variety of updates, including:

  • Budget and Work Plan: Board members approved the MARC 2023 Budget and Work Plan, which will advance MARC’s programs and initiatives across the region. The 2023 budget includes $109,520,234 in expenditures with 74% of these funds being passed on to partners in the region.
View the presentation
  • Federal legislative agenda: Each year, Board members adopt a federal policy agenda, which reflects issues of regional importance identified by MARC committees, member local governments and community partners. The 2023 preliminary agenda includes supporting legislation and investments related to regional transportation and mobility needs, climate adaptation, public health, affordable housing and more. Board members shared input on the draft agenda issues.
View the presentation
  • Economic forecast: A new MARC economic forecast, prepared for the Greater Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, indicates the Kansas City region will experience a mild recession in 2023. MARC staff advised Board members that the recession is expected to last one year and, though mild by historical standards, will still result in job losses in construction and other sectors.
View the presentation
  • Emergency response resource sharing: Board members approved a new mutual aid agreement developed by the Regional Homeland Security Coordinating Committee to allow emergency response agencies to share resources across jurisdictions. The agreement focuses on resources not covered by existing mutual aid agreements and includes public information, volunteers and transportation services.
View the presentation
  • Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy: As the economic development district for the nine-county Kansas City metro, MARC regularly prepares a regional economic development plan. Board members approved the 2020-2022 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Plan update, which focuses on economic recovery and resiliency following the COVID-19 pandemic. 
View the CEDS plan
  • Transportation funding recommendations: Board members approved recommendations for $135 million in federal transportation funding to support projects across the region. Nearly 150 applications for projects were received in 2022 and 72 were recommended for funding, including electric vehicle charging stations, bike share expansion, and intersection and signal improvements.

At the MARC Budget and Personnel Committee meeting on Dec. 20, attendees took the following actions:

  • 988: Committee members approved $205,000 in local match grant agreements with two regional health care philanthropy organizations to enhance mental health mobile crisis response for the 988 suicide and crisis hotline.
     
  • Housing: The committee voted to expand the use of a housing locator tool for the Regional Housing Partnership. The tool is currently used by the City of Kansas City, Missouri, to support people looking for affordable housing. MARC staff assisted in the selection of the tool’s provider and worked to gauge the interest in the region and find initial funding.
     
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