Darron Leiker joins Johnson County — Darron Leiker began his tenure as assistant county manager on Feb. 17, following the retirement of Joe Connor. Leiker brings more than 25 years of local government experience in Kansas and Texas. Learn more.
Leawood starts construction on Parkway project — Leawood has started construction on Tomahawk Creek Parkway, aimed at improving safety and connectivity for all users. The improvements include a new roundabout, mitigating floodplain concerns, resurfacing and enhanced pedestrian and bike lanes. View more information.
Unified Government opens new transit zone — On Feb. 3, Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas launched the new Northeast Microtransit Zone for RideKC On-Demand. This area connects with the Midtown and Legends zones, helping residents reach employment, grocery stores, and other community services. Read more about the service here.
Register for the Leading EDGE program — The March session of the KU Public Management Center’s Leading EDGE program starts on March 21 and includes a newly redesigned High-Performance Organization curriculum. The week-long course will provide the keys to building high-performing local governments that thrive in today’s dynamic landscape. Register today.
Join KU’s annual management conference — The 2025 Kansas City/County Manager conference will be on April 24–25 at the Oread Hotel in Lawrence, Kansas. The event will feature two days of discussions on key challenges and opportunities shaping local government in Kansas, including hospital conditions, economic development, rural health, public dialogue, short-term rentals, community engagement, and more. Register for the conference.
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PUBLIC SECTOR WORKFORCE NEWS
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If you have a job opening in your organization, share them on Metro KC Gov Jobs, the one-stop destination for public sector job opportunities in the KC metro area. Please contact Elizabeth Blakely.
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2026 Transportation Safety Call for Projects now open — The annual funding project, overseen by the Destination Safe Coalition, encourages local organizations and agencies to develop projects that reduce traffic crash fatalities and serious injuries through education, emergency response or enforcement. Funding and grant management for these projects come from both the Kansas Department of Transportation and the MoDOT Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety. Applications must be submitted through MARC's Transportation Safety Call for Projects portal. The deadline to submit applications is March 17 by 11:59 p.m. View more information and apply.
KC Housing Locator launches new feature — The KC Housing Locator website launched in 2023 to connect renters with available units for rent. The site’s newest feature is a password protected way for case workers to view and access units that serve clients with special needs. All units will still be visible, but the designation of a property as special needs will not be visible. Read more about the Housing Locator.
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Federal actions — MARC staff have continued to monitor the executive orders that are related to federal funding for the region. The initial memorandum pausing all funding was rescinded after a federal judge authorized a temporary restraining order on funding freezes. Most federal grants administered by MARC are moving forward, albeit somewhat slower than usual. A comprehensive inventory of federal grants administered by MARC was developed, along with a companion partner listing.
Tech boom showcases need for regional collaboration — North Texas cities are experiencing an influx of companies, especially in the tech sector. This shift has increased intercounty travel and led to the creation of the North Texas Innovation Alliance (NTXIA). Comprising local governments, academics, businesses and more, NTXIA addresses issues such as broadband connectivity and economic development. The alliance will also contribute to World Cup planning for the region. Learn more about the group.
Baltimore utilizing blockchain for property title management — Baltimore has launched a blockchain-based platform to allow users to access property data, combat fraud and improve transaction efficiency. The initiative aims to revive vacant properties that represent lost property tax revenue. The technology also reduces transaction costs and paperwork. Learn more.
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- Improve I-70 Public Meeting #3 — Gregg/Klice Community Center, 1600 E. 17th Terrace Kansas City, Missouri
March 4, 5–7 p.m.
- Total Transportation Policy Committee — MARC offices, 600 Broadway, Suite 200, Kansas City, Missouri
March 18, 9:30–11 a.m.
- MARC Board of Directors Meeting — MARC offices, 600 Broadway, Suite 200, Kansas City, Missouri
March 25, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
- 2025 Kansas City/County Manager Conference — Oread Hotel, 1200 Oread Ave., Lawrence, Kansas
April 24–25
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