Decision on COVID relief funds in Jackson County likely to be delayed again

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A decision by Jackson County legislators on how to spend remaining federal COVID-19 relief funds is likely delayed again.

In a letter sent to Chairwoman Jeanie Lauer, five legislators say they won't attend a scheduled meeting Wednesday morning to revisit the issue, which would deny the Legislature a quorum.

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The move comes after the Jackson County Legislature failed to override County Executive Frank White's veto of an ordinance outlining how to allocate the funds.

At issue, how to divide the money between infrastructure and community social service needs.

One of the signees, Manny Abarca, says he plans to have the vetoed ordinance placed on Monday's regular meeting agenda as a starting point.

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The county must decide by Dec. 31 how to spend the $70 million, or it goes back to the federal government.

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