Lenexa’s Committee of the Whole (COW) meetings are typically not recorded. A Lenexa resident sent an email in requesting for an exception to this. At the next Committee of the Whole meeting (June 23rd) the conversation will cover the 2027 budget. According to City Manager Beccy Yocham, the June 23 meeting will not be available for replay, although the staff presentation will be separately recorded and posted afterward. What will be left out is the conversation that occurs between staff and the governing body. ⁣
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While we appreciate the posting of the staff presentation, the City’s annual budget is one of the most important discussions of the year. The budget determines priorities, spending, taxes, staffing, and long-term direction. Residents who cannot attend in person should have the opportunity to watch the full discussion and hear questions and comments from elected officials.⁣
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𝐖𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐱𝐜𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝟐𝟑 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠.⁣
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If you agree, respectfully let City Manager Beccy Yocham know that you’d like the full budget discussion recorded and made available to residents.⁣
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📧 Beccy Yocham, City Manager – byocham@lenexa.com⁣
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A strong government works best when residents can see not only the presentation, but hear the conversation too.