American Rescue Plan: Planning Our Road to Recovery
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This evening at 5PM, the Unified Government Commissioners are meeting to discuss the "immediate needs" that have been identified for the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) local recovery funds. Earlier this week, the Unified Government published the draft Immediate Needs Report which identifies several actions to help continue the fight against COVID as we continue to see high numbers of Delta variant across our community. Continuing efforts for testing, vaccinations, household assistance, nonprofit and business support, and several other areas of immediate needs are all proposed for the first round of ARPA local recovery fund allocation.
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The Commissioners will also continue their exploration of how to prioritize community needs and requests as part of an ongoing discussion of how to use these funds to put Wyandotte County on the road to recovery.
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Coming soon: we are working on a process for accepting more formal proposals from community organizations, nonprofits, local businesses, and other partners. In the meantime, you are welcome to send your ideas to ARPA@wycokck.org.
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Next Steps: ARPA Immediate Needs Budget Allocation August 26
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Needs Report and budget proposal to the Commissioners on August 26 for consideration. This will be important to continuing some of the key pandemic response and public health services over the next several months.
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DotteTalk: What is the most important response to the pandemic?
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We have launched an online forum, DotteTalk, as one of several channels for community input and posed this question: What is the most important response to the pandemic? When things are back to "normal," we want to know what you think should be different. What do you envision as the most important outcome of this terrible pandemic? Please join the forum and provide your input. You can also email us at arpa@wycokck.org with your ideas and suggestions!
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SAVE THE DATE: August 19
2022 Budget Presentation
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County Administrator Doug Bach will present the proposed 2022 budget for the Unified Government on Thursday, August 19 for initial consideration and review. We will be sure to share a link to the document as it is available (we are working furiously to pull everything together!).
There will be several opportunities to get involved in providing input and feedback on the proposed budget. This year's planning will really be focusing on our recovery as a community.
public hearing is planned for early September and we will provide more ways to get involved and hear your feedback coming soon! In the meantime, mark your calendars for the evening of Thursday, August 26 for this important presentation of our fiscal priorities and proposal.
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Weigh in on transportation priorities through this biannual survey on needs from KDOT.
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New Mask Mandate Issued for Kansas City, Kansas and Other Portions of Wyandotte County
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New cases of COVID-19 are surging dramatically in Wyandotte County, and last week the Unified Government Commission took action to try to slow the spread. They approved a new mask order for Kansas City, Kansas and the unincorporated area of Loring in Wyandotte County. The mask order is now in effect through 11:59 pm on September 16, 2021.
The order does not apply to public and private schools and also excludes the cities of Bonner Springs and Edwardsville, Kansas. UG Commissioners opted to leave the decision of mask requirements to school boards and to Bonner Springs and Edwardsville elected officials, respectively.
At last week’s UG Commission meeting, Unified Government Public Health Department leaders and Dr. Steve Stites, Chief Medical Officer with the University of Kansas Health System, presented some concerning statistics about the spread of COVID-19 in Wyandotte County:
- The rolling 7-day average of cases per day is up to 77 new cases per day – the highest rate since late January 2021 , and nine times higher than the average cases per day just two months ago.
- The positivity rate (a 7-day rolling average of positive test percentages) has climbed to 32 percent, as high as it was in mid-January 2021, and more than four times higher than the positivity rate in May 2021.
- Two-thirds of current positive cases in Wyandotte County are among children and young adults under 40 years of age.
- The vast majority of hospitalized cases of COVID-19 are in people who have not been vaccinated.
These healthcare leaders are especially concerned about the presence of the Delta Variant in Wyandotte County and the metro area because it spreads much more easily than other types of COVID. Because of low vaccination rates in Wyandotte County, the Delta Variant is causing significant spread of COVID-19 throughout the community.
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What is Covered by the Mask Order
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Individuals age five and older must wear masks over the nose and mouth when:
- Inside any public space including businesses and places of worship;
- Obtaining services from the healthcare sector in settings including, but not limited to, a hospital, pharmacy, medical clinic, laboratory, physician or dental office, vaccination site, COVID-19 testing site, veterinary clinic, or blood bank (unless otherwise directed by an employee or healthcare provider);
- Waiting for or riding on public transportation or while in a taxi, private car service, or ride-sharing vehicle.
All businesses or organizations in Wyandotte County must require all employees, customers, visitors, members, or members of the public to wear a mask or other face covering when:
- Employees are working in any space visited by customers or members of the public, regardless of whether anyone from the public is present at the time; or
- Employees are working in an indoor space; or
- Employees are working in any space where food is prepared or packaged for sale or distribution to others; or
- In any indoor space where members of the general public are present or may be periodically present.
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FREE Vaccinations and Incentives Still Available!
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The UGPHD continues to offer free COVID-19 vaccines for people who live in Wyandotte County age 12 and older, at the former Kmart site at 7836 State Avenue. Hours for COVID-19 vaccinations and testing, and childhood immunizations are as follows:
- COVID Testing: Monday-Friday 9AM-3 PM
- COVID Vaccines: Wednesday-Friday 10AM-6PM
- Childhood Immunizations: Wednesdays in August, 12PM-6PM
All of these services are free of charge!
And now, the UGPHD offers incentives for those getting vaccinated! For more information on where to get vaccinated in Wyandotte County, visit WycoVaccines.org or call 3-1-1. To learn more about upcoming UGPHD mobile vaccination events visit their Facebook page at facebook.com/UGHealthDept
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How Can You Help? Mask, Test, Vaccinate and Please Share!
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Wyandotte County, we recognize how tired you must be of the pandemic -- we are too. We are fighting every day with you and for you so we can have a better future. Please pass along these images below and encourage your family and friends to please test early, get vaccinated, and wear a mask. We can do this, together!
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Join Our Team
Career Opportunities
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The Unified Government is hiring! Check out the following positions ( and many more) that are about to close on August 18, 2021 so apply today.
For more job opportunities, please explore our website.
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Vote Daily! PetSafe Bark for Your Park Grant Contest
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We are a finalist for a grant to build a dog park Fisher Street & W. 39th Avenue! You can vote daily to help us be one of the top ten parks for this funding. Help us bring these funds into our community.
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Fred is a two year old Mastiff and weighs 90 pounds. Fred came to the shelter on a rainy day and he was scared of the world. Now that he knows he is safe and loved, he has become a staff favorite. Fred is a large goofy boy who loves toys, going for walks and cuddling with humans. Fred is dog friendly, but prefers girl dog friends over boys. Fred has not been introduced to cats yet to know if he gets along with them. Fred loves every human he meets, but would do best in a home without young children until he learns to not jump to hug, or be mouthy. Fred loves soft blankets, and is obsessed with squeaky toys. Fred is great in his kennel and knows to potty outside. Fred has been neutered, fully vaccinated, dewormed, microchipped and tested for heartworms- so he is more than ready to be in a home. Meet Fred this Sunday at our shelter (3301 Park Drive in Kansas City, KS) from Noon to 2pm.
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Upcoming Commission Meetings
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Special Session: American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Immediate Needs Report
Thursday, August 12, 2021, 7PM
Full Commission Meeting
Thursday, August 12, 2021, 7PM
SAVE THE DATE: Presentation of Draft 2022 Budget
Thursday, August 19, 2021
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To reduce the spread of COVID-19 and consistent with County and State Orders limiting gatherings of individuals to 45 persons or less, the meetings of the Unified Government Board of Commission meetings will be conducted remotely using Zoom, an online meeting tool. The Mayor, Commission and Unified Government Staff will all participate in the meeting remotely. Members of the public may attend meetings virtually using the links (see right) and/or phone dial-in information. The information is also available on the agenda itself.
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