Is The Project Transparent?

Is The Lenexa Shelter Project Really Transparent?

 

Cost – $10 million and counting. The Board of County Commissioners (BOCC) spent $6 million in taxpayer dollars to buy the property. They voted to spend another $3.7 million in taxpayer dollars to renovate the property. And… they’re asking other JOCO cities to fund an additional $430,000 (per year ) in taxpayer dollars for… something undefined without any measurements of success or financial accountability.

 

1. No priority is given to the homeless population in Johnson County. Commissioners voted NOT to check for ties to Johnson County when admitting “residents” to this shelter. Will neighboring cities bus their homeless to Johnson county?

2. People in our country illegally are allowed to stay in the shelter. Commissioners voted NOT to check for U.S. citizenship or legal status such as a green card or student visa.

3. Will it raise crime in our neighborhood? Other similar shelters have experienced increases in crime. The proposed shelter is already in a high crime area.

4. Will it bring drugs, drug users, and drug sellers to our neighborhood? Other similar shelters have experienced increases in drug use and sales. Other similar homeless centers have seen increased violent crime and drug use nearby. Example: Former Doubletree hotel in Denver.

5. Will this drive away businesses in the area?

 

7. Operational expenses – The county originally required that the operating organization chosen MUST BE able to fund ongoing expenses.  This has been thrown out the window as reStart (the
vendor chosen to operate the shelter) has submitted an annual operating budget with a $500,000 deficit.

8. Lack of due diligence – The BOCC delegated all the responsibility to create a Request for Proposal, review the proposals, and interview selected vendors. No elected officials were on this committee. Even though one commissioner – Becky Fast – offered to serve on the committee, she was not selected to do so. In addition, City Union Mission in KCMO was not notified of the RFP. And the county only received 4 proposals foregoing a national search to determine the
best operator.

9. Transparency – None of these issues would be public knowledge if the questions hadn’t been asked in a public meeting. We want a partnership, not a dictatorship from our elected reps.

10. This won’t solve the “homeless problem.” Commissioners and proponents have mentioned multiple times that this shelter will NOT solve the “homeless problem” in Joco. Why are we
spending all this money on an expensive and ineffective solution?

The BOCC Priorities web page lists the #1 priority is to “improve housing options for the resident needs.” If nothing else, shouldn’t the priority be on those currently homeless in Johnson County? The BOCC has completely abdicated its vow to take care of JOCO citizen’s taxes and safety !!!!