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February 2026 |
ANNOUNCEMENTS |
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Management Matters survey open for feedback — The Management Matters newsletter is looking to get a refresh and we invite your feedback. Help shape future content by completing a brief survey. Take the survey.
ICMA Excellence in Local Government Nominations open — The International City/County Management is accepting nominations for its Local Government Excellence Awards. Nominate an ICMA member who exemplifies leadership in local government. Send nominations.
Digital accessibility standards deadlines approaching for public sector — Local governments and other public sector organizations must soon comply with new digital accessibility standards under Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The rules require entities to meet the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 Level AA standards, which ensure content is perceivable, operable, understandable and compatible with assistive technologies.
All public-facing digital content, including websites, mobile apps, PDFs, social media content, videos and online forms, must meet these digital accessibility requirements. The upcoming deadlines are April 24, 2026, for entities serving 50,000 or more residents, and April 26, 2027, for smaller entities. Read about the upcoming changes. Regional Special Event Safety and Security Toolkit update — The Regional Special Event Safety & Security Toolkit, a key regional resource for jurisdictions and community organizers, is being updated following recent incidents and stakeholder feedback. The revised toolkit includes guidance on governance, permitting, risk tiering, communications, site layout, reunification, and operational coordination, and is expected by end of February. MARC will host a regional seminar in March to introduce the updates and walk partners through new tools and workflows. Once released, the toolkit will be available on the Regional Plans Dashboard. Senior and elected officials are encouraged to support its adoption to ensure consistent, risk‑informed event planning across the region.
Registration open for Kansas City and County Manager Conference — The KU Public Management Center has opened registration for the Kansas City and County Manager Conference on April 30 to May 1 at the Oread Hotel in Lawrence. This year’s theme, “Running on Empty? Recharge at KCCM.”, invites attendees to reenergize their commitment to public service through speakers, sessions and collaborative discussions. Register for the conference.
Parkville seeks temporary streets superintendent — Parkville is seeking temporary leadership for its streets department after its superintendent was injured outside of work. The city is looking for recent retirees interested in a two- to six-month commission overseeing six maintenance workers who handle street and stormwater operations. Contact Dan Harper via email or phone with leads. . |
REGIONAL NEWS |
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Kansas City data center receives first-in-nation clean energy loan — A Kansas City data center has become the first in the country to receive a C-PACE clean energy loan, supporting environmentally friendly options and energy efficiency for local businesses. Learn about the clean energy loan.
Olathe receives federal grant for traffic safety — Olathe will receive nearly $700,000 in federal infrastructure funding to support its Safety Action Plan. The grant will support speed limit changes, road safety audits and a traffic safety demonstration project. Learn about the grant.
Jackson County considers ordinance on law enforcement face coverings — A proposed ordinance in Jackson County would prohibit law enforcement officers from wearing facial coverings while on duty, except in limited circumstances such as serving warrants, SWAT operations, or undercover work. The measure aims to promote transparency and build community trust. Review the ordinance.
Leawood to expand Hallbrook North development with Lockton relocation — Lockton will be moving from their Kansas City, Missouri, headquarters to Leawood’s Hallbrook North development near Interstate 435 and State Line Road. Construction is expected to begin in 2026, with plans to move in early 2030. Read about the development.
Platte City unveils downtown revitalization plans — Platte City has released initial plans to reimagine its downtown, prioritizing accessibility, greenspace and improved streetscapes to enhance community connectivity. See the plan.
KCKPD receives $410K federal grant to support crime victims — The Kansas City, Kansas, Police Department has been awarded $410,353 through the Federal Victims of Crime Act grant. Funds will support mental health services, legal assistance, crisis intervention and victim advocacy. Read more.
Manny Abarca elected Jackson County chair — The Jackson County Legislature elected Manny Abarca as chair on Jan. 12. He previously served as treasurer of the Kansas City Public Schools Board. See more.
Roeland Park adjusts short-term rental policy for World Cup — Roeland Park will temporarily amend its short-term rental policy from May 25 to July 31 for World Cup visitors. Hosts may apply for a temporary license while adhering to existing standards. Review the policy.
Grain Valley expands Blue Branch Creek Trail — Grain Valley will extend the Blue Branch Creek Trail southward to improve access for nearby neighborhoods. The project is funded by a Transportation Alternatives Program grant. View more information on the trail.
Wyandotte County to replace outdated bridges — The Kansas Department of Transportation plans to replace aging bridges along Central Avenue in Wyandotte County beginning in 2028. The $135 million project will replace bridges that go over Union Pacific Railroad, the Kansas River and I-70. Read about the bridges. |
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MARC NEWS |
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MARC Regional Leadership Awards nominations open — Nominations are open for the MARC Regional Leadership Awards. Individuals, nonprofits and institutions making a lasting impact in the Kansas City metro are eligible. Give a nomination for the Regional Leadership Awards.
MARC Solid Waste Management District awards $800k in regional grants — The MARC Solid Waste Management District has awarded nearly $800,000 to eight organizations in the region that support waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting. Recipients include Bold Reuse, Bridging The Gap, Flourish Furniture Bank, Ingenuity, Kanbe’s Markets, The Produce Stewardship Institute, The Prospect KC and Re.Use.Full. View more information. |
STATE & NATIONAL NEWS |
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Missouri’s $15 minimum wage now in effect — After a state-wide vote in 2024, Missouri’s minimum wage has increased to $15 per hour as of Jan. 1. Employers with a gross income under $500,000 are not obligated to pay the state minimum wage amount. Review the standards.
Kansas to upgrade SNAP quality control systems — After failing to meet federal error-rate standards for SNAP benefits, Kansas will invest $4.4 million over the next two years to upgrade its technology. The improvements aim to avoid federal sanctions set to begin in October 2027. See View the updates.
Support local nutrition programs through Missouri’s tax check-off — For the 2025/2026 tax season, Missouri taxpayers have a new opportunity to support local nutrition efforts through the state’s tax check box donation program. Residents can contribute directly to “Elderly Home Delivered Meals” by selecting the option on Line 51 of the MO-1040 form under the “Trust Funds” section. Those filing electronically can find the donation option in the “Missouri State Wrap-Up” or “Donations” section of tax software such as TurboTax or H&R Block. Every dollar helps nourish older adults in communities across the state. Learn more about the check-off. |
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GRANT OPPORTUNITIES |
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Visit our Grant Opportunity web page for current grant opportunities open to local governments. |
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