Commissioners express deep reluctance but say the temporary move is necessary.
The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas (UG) voted Thursday night to temporarily suspend several local policies tied to diversity, equity, inclusion, and immigration after legal counsel warned that continuing to enforce them could jeopardize more than $80 million in annual federal funding.
According to the UG’s Legal Department, agencies must certify compliance with anti-discrimination and immigration laws as currently interpreted by the federal government. Those interpretations can shift from one administration to the next, meaning local governments must sometimes adjust their policies to remain eligible for grants.
Chief Deputy Counsel Wendy Green said the UG does not take the action lightly but believes it is necessary to protect essential services for residents. “When you hear from us before we have heard from you, it is because we do strongly believe that action is required,” Green said, noting that the recommendation came despite staff discomfort with the situation.
Green explained that some long-standing UG policies, particularly those focused on hiring, contracting, and service access, could now be viewed as inconsistent with new federal guidance. “This is about compliance with conditions tied to federal dollars,” she said. “If we cannot certify that we meet those conditions, we risk losing a large portion of the funding that supports programs people rely on every single day.”
The affected programs include senior meal sites, housing assistance, WIC nutrition services, and other community programs. Federal funding also supports infrastructure improvements that depend on competitive grant awards. Losing eligibility could limit access to programs that help cities repair or replace major assets, such as the Central Avenue or Kansas Avenue bridges; projects that often rely on millions in federal transportation or resilience funds.
Commissioners described the vote as an unwanted but necessary step. Commissioner Gayle Townsend cautioned that failing to act could invite a federal challenge. “We should not buy litigation,” Townsend said. “Failing to act would be daring the federal government to come and take a deeper look.”
Commissioner Tom Burroughs called the decision “a bitter pill,” adding that it puts the UG “in a position where principle collides with practicality.”
Commissioner Andrew Davis voiced concern that the temporary action could last longer than intended. “We are being asked to suspend policies that reflect who we are as a community,” Davis said. “If this is temporary, then we need to make sure it does not quietly become permanent.”
Green assured commissioners that the Legal Department will review all affected policies and bring revisions back for consideration. “The intent is to restore as much of our equity-based language and practice as possible once we understand how to align it with federal law,” she said. “This is not a retreat. It is a pause to make sure we do not lose funding that keeps roofs over people’s heads and food on their tables.”
The motion passed 6 to 2, with Commissioners Andrew Davis and Melissa Bynum voting no.
Several commissioners urged residents to view the move as an act of caution rather than a change in the UG’s values. “Our commitment to fairness and inclusion has not changed,” Townsend said. “But the reality is that interpretations at the federal level do change, and those shifts can have real consequences for local governments like ours.”
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