Kansas

Kansas City voters say yes to public safety sales tax renewal, new city jail

Published

11 months ago

April 9, 2025

Kansas City voters say yes to public safety sales tax renewal, new city jail

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Kansas City, Missouri, voters approved a 20-year extension to a public safety sales tax whose proceeds would have been used to build a new city jail.

60% percent of voters were in favor of the sales tax extension while 40% said no.

“You need accountability for those who offend, you need consequences,” Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas said. “But you also need to have a source of funds that allows us to invest in greater mental health and in rehabilitation for our community. That’s exactly what the people of Kansas City has supported today. I’m so proud of Kansas City voters.

The sales tax revenue is expected to generate about $480 million over the next 20 years.

KSHB 41 reporter Isabella Ledonne found out the cost to build a new detention center could be from $150 million to $250 million.

Kansas City, Missouri, voters approve renewal of public safety sales tax

The new jail would be next to the Jackson County Adult Detention Center, which is being built just off Interstate 70 and US 40 Highway.

“We don’t have the capacity [right now], we’re sending folks to Vernon and Johnson County,” Kansas City Councilman Nathan Willett said. “This is going to bring people who commit crimes who need a bit of a timeout in a place but also connect them with resources. I think this is a good, holistic approach.”

Opponents of the tax argued that money should be going toward crime prevention measures and mental health resources. Leaders with Decarcerate KC explained they will continue to push for solutions.

“We’re still in the fight,” community organizer Pateisha Royal said. “We got to get back to the drawing board, we have to work on a better Kansas City for residents. We still have to be here and organize on what’s next.”

Councilman Johnathan Duncan was the only Kansas City council member who opposed the passage of the public safety sales tax. He explained he will ensure mental health resources are included in the new jail.

“I’m ready to propose an ordinance to capture some of that funding to ensure that there is a community resource center that will actually improve public safety that is outcomes and solutions based,” Councilman Duncan said. “If the jail is our new reality, then I will work in that reality to make it the best jail that we can possibly have.”

Kansas City, Mo., Councilman Crispin Rea said told Ledonne money from the sales tax would cover detention center building costs and still support safety resources. Operation costs would be covered through other city budget funding measures.

“There is more than enough revenue that will be raised to cover the construction of the facility and continue to do the important things that the police department has need of to address deficiencies with the 911 system,” Rea said.

Kansas City council has sent out a request for proposal for the design of the detention center. Councilmembers stated at Tuesday night’s watch party they expect construction to begin in late 2027.

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Kansas

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

Published

16 hours ago

March 5, 2026

Press Room

Former Kansas high school wrestling coach charged with producing child pornography

WICHITA, Kan. (KWCH) – A former Kansas wrestling coach was charged with creating child sexual abuse materials by secretly recording minors showering during an athletic competition.

According to court documents, 37-year-old Ryan Brungardt of Salina is charged with two counts of production of child pornography and one count of attempted production of child pornography.

Brungardt is a former employee at Lakewood Middle School and former wrestling coach for Salina Central High School.

Brungardt is accused of using a cellphone to record three minors while they showered in a locker room during the Tournament of Champions, a wrestling tournament was held at Newton High in January 2024.

Brungardt made his initial court appearance for the criminal complaint on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Brooks G. Severson.

A detention hearing is scheduled for Monday

Investigators are in the process of reviewing additional seized cellphone videos in this case that are suspected to have been recorded at wrestling meets in Newton, Hays, Garden City and Salina during the 2023-2024 wrestling season.

Anyone who believes they witnessed crimes or any suspicious activity at these events is asked to contact the Kansas Bureau of Investigation at (785) 600-8790 or report at www.kbi.ks.gov/sar.

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