The Office of the Mayor is preparing for Seven Days of Kindness in April 2024. This annual campaign is intended to increase kindness through knowledge, mindset and behavior. In April 2014, a hate crime spurred this movement to bring more kindness to our communities. Stay tuned for announcements from the Office of the Mayor regarding how you can get involved. In the meantime, maybe you'll find a way to share a little kindness?

Don't miss it: Appeal your appraisal value by March 30

Don't miss out on the opportunity to appeal your property appraisal. Applications are due by March 30 - and, with the spring holiday on Friday, if you're submitting in-person, please do so by Thursday, March 28 as UG offices are closed on Friday.

DotteTalks: Share your community priorities for our city-county budget

Starting in Rosedale on Saturday, April 6 from 3PM-5PM, the Unified Government invites community members to attend our DotteTalk community conversations on the city and county budget. Your feedback will help inform our elected officials and staff as we continue with the 2025 budget process. Check out this first event or find another event near you - all DotteTalks are open to the public!

What is Microtransit?

Microtransit is a flexible transportation service that operates in defined zones within our community. For $3.00/ride, you can travel to your destination in Midtown KCK or Edwardsville and Legends, schedule and pay for your ride through an app, and enjoy the convenience of knowing when your ride is about to arrive. This service includes a comfortable shuttle bus and friendly transit operator - and is a great way to connect to regional bus lines by leaving your car at home. We've heard great feedback from our customers so far so we hope you will check out these new services today!

The UG is working to expand this service to the Northeast and Fairfax - stay tuned for future announcements. In the meantime, download the app and get started today!

2024 KCKPD Summer Youth Cadet Program June 6 - August 1

Apply now for Summer 2024! This paid, eight-week program is designed to expose teens to positive work ethics, self-discipline, customer service, military bearing, community service and life skills. Cadets are responsible for representing the Police Department in a professional manner while providing support and assistance to community outreach programs, neighborhood and professional groups, anti-crime initiatives, and at-risk juvenile programs.

Activities such as neighborhood clean-ups, minor home repairs, homeless outreach, and other projects that involve interaction with the community are also part of the program. 

Wyandotte County residents between the ages of 16 and 19 years of age are eligible. The program funs Monday-Friday from 8AM-4PM starting on June 6. Program is limited to 18 students so apply early!

Have your permit? Residential Open Burn begins April 1

KCK residents are allowed to apply for a burn permit for the time period of the month of April at any of the KCKFD Stations or online. Residents are limited to one 3-day burn permit per burn period that allows for the combustion of one 10 foot by 10 foot or smaller pile of naturally occurring residential organic yard waste generated onsite.

If you operate a business out of your home, you are classified as a business and cannot participate. Applications must be received and approved at least 24 hours prior to the commencement of burning. Open burning with a permit is allowed between the hours of 7:00AM to 6:00PM. Keep reading for more information.

Planning home or commercial property improvements? Explore this rebate program before you start!

If you are planning any substantial improvements to your home or commercial property, be sure to stop by our website and explore the Neighborhood Revitalization Act rebate program. If you increase the value of your property by 15% or more, you may be eligible for a tax rebate.

The tax rebate is based on a percentage of the increased taxes resulting from the increase in the property's assessed value. New builds, garages, and structural additions qualify as projects that may increase your value. When considering home renovations, kitchens, and bathrooms increase a home's value significantly. Explore our website or call the Office of the Appraiser at (913) 573-8400 to learn more.

Property Maintenance: Overgrown Vegetation

Every Spring, the UG Neighborhood Resource Center sends out a notice to the owners of properties which have been found to be in violation of our overgrown vegetation ordinances within the previous 12 months. This notice serves as their first warning that failure to maintain the mowing of their property will result in the city abatement crew being automatically assigned to mow their grass for them. All charges for this work would then be billed back to the owner/offender.

Learn more about the most common property maintenance violations here. 

John Fiske Elementary Sidewalk and
Crosswalk Project

As an action item identified in the Armourdale Area Plan/Armourdale Fuerte, construction on sidewalk gap closures, upgrades and improvement around John Fiske Elementary School (625 S. Valley Street) has begun! Working with the Armourdale Renewal Association and Kansas City, Kansas School District, the UG Departments of Planning & Urban Design and Public Works are excited to see this work underway.

Students at the school are currently designing artwork for crosswalks at Custer Avenue/S Valley Street and Shawnee Avenue/S Valley Street as part of additional safety and accessibility enhancements that will be installed next month. This project was funded by a grant from the Burlington Northern San Francisco railroad and the UG’s sidewalk match program.