Kansas City sets goals for Community Safety

Kansas City is setting goals on how it spends your tax dollars. This week the City Council passed an ordinance that outlines priorities for how the Public Safety Sales Tax, that was passed earlier this year, should be spent.

Council has listed the completion of a permanent correction, rehabilitation, and reentry center as the priority, the development, completion, and operation of a community resource center and a new or rehabilitated Central Patrol Division of the Kansas City Police Department as the second goal and then the ongoing acquisition, upgrade, and maintenance of essential public safety infrastructure and equipment not otherwise funded through general revenue sources as the third.

These three areas create framework for city staff to follow and ensure the sales tax funds are used in the most pressing ways

Additionally, the City Council approved increases in starting pay to $25.40 per hour for Correctional Officers and $27.35 per hour for Senior Correctional Officers, strengthening recruitment and retention as the City prepares to operate its municipal corrections facility.

The higher wages will help the Department of Community Safety hire the staff needed to operate the temporary correctional facility on Front Street and the future permanent facility. The increases also highlight the City's broader commitment to offering fair, competitive wages and a comprehensive benefits package that supports employees' health, families and financial futures.

Across City departments, eligible employees have access to a total rewards package that includes:

• Affordable health insurance: The City pays the majority of medical insurance premiums, helping employees access coverage while keeping more of their paychecks. Dental and vision coverage options are also available.
• Paid vacation, sick leave and holidays: Benefits that give employees time to recharge, manage health needs and care for their families.
• A defined benefit pension: A foundation for long-term retirement security, complemented by voluntary retirement savings options.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development: Opportunities to continue learning, build skills and grow a career with the City.
• An employee discount program: Additional savings that help employees make their paychecks go further
• Access to affordable childcare: Corrections officers will have access to the Tri-Share Child Care pilot program, which offers aid in covering full-time childcare and have a household income between 150% and 555% of the federal poverty level.

Together, these benefits add substantial value beyond an employee's hourly wage or salary. A career with Kansas City offers the opportunity to earn a competitive income, prepare for the future, and do meaningful work that directly benefits the community.

If you are interested in joining the team, you can learn more about opportunities by visiting the city's website here.