Updates and outcomes from MARC's November Board meetings

Dec 08, 2025
| Posted in
News
Ashley Z. Hand presents to the MARC Board of Directors on Nov. 25, 2025

Thanks to everyone who joined the MARC Board of Directors and Budget and Personnel Committee meetings on Nov. 25. We’re sharing selected highlights from the meetings for your awareness and use in regional conversations.


Board of Directors meeting

Regional economic forecast

The Kansas City metro economy is currently stable but faces both challenges and opportunities, with employment remaining flat and the unemployment rate rising to 4%. Service-producing industries are underperforming, while goods-producing sectors like manufacturing and construction are outperforming national trends. A wave of deferred federal resignations is expected to cause a short-term dip in employment in late 2025, with recovery projected to begin in 2026. To ensure future growth and resilience, regional leaders recommend broadening the economic base and investing in emerging sectors such as biosciences, national security and energy.

View slides

Budget overview

The MARC Budget and Work Plan guides agency activities and provides a clear picture of how revenues are allocated to achieve overarching policy goals. Board members reviewed a draft of the 2026 Budget and Work Plan and Revised 2025 Budget. MARC’s 2026 budgeted revenues are projected at $113,110,834 — with 70% being passed on to partners in the region. MARC staff shared key priorities across departments for 2026. The final budget and work plan will be presented for adoption at the December Board of Directors meeting.   

View slides

Executive director retirement

At the meeting, David Warm announced he will be retiring as executive director in 2026. He has served in his role for over 35 years. MARC Board Chair Janeé Hanzlick, Johnson County commissioner, also announced that she will immediately form a search committee of board members who will work with a search firm to conduct a national search for a new executive director. Warm will continue serving in his role until a replacement is named.

Budget and Personnel Committee meeting

At the MARC Budget and Personnel Committee meeting on Nov. 25, attendees took the following actions:

911 upgrades

The Kansas City Regional 911 System is a complex network of hardware devices that require regular monitoring and maintenance to ensure peak performance. With guidance from the Public Safety Communications Board, MARC staff manage routine replacement of aging network components with new models. Staff selected a proposal from SHI for 30 routing switch units with dual power supplies, and five years of support at a cost of $155,049.90 —about 25% less than competing quotes. Funding for this upgrade was allocated in the 2025 budget for 911 capital projects.

Solid Waste Management District 

The MARC Solid Waste Management District renewed its contract with MARC for administrative support for 2024-28 as part of its approval of its 2026 Work Plan and Budget on Nov. 19. Under the renewed contract, MARC will continue to manage district funds, special projects, grants and the household hazardous waste program. The 2026 memorandum of understanding allocates $739,202 to support these services and about 3.3 full-time MARC staff.

Housing narrative project

The Regional Housing Partnership is collaborating with national experts and the Housing Narrative Lab to research public perceptions of housing across the MARC region, aiming to support more affordable housing. This project will use qualitative and quantitative methods to identify effective messaging and strategies for communicating about housing issues. The committee approved a consulting agreement, funded by a Marion and Henry Bloch Family Foundation grant, which will not exceed $227,000 and includes research, analysis and implementation support.

All Posts