KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – A Kansas City committee voted Tuesday to redirect nearly half a million dollars in marijuana sales tax revenue into the city’s Extreme Weather Program. The money was originally set aside for neighborhood cleanup.
The Finance, Governance and Public Safety Committee approved the transfer during its meeting. The measure now heads to the full city council for a vote.
Housing department cites shortfall
The Code of Ordinances directs the city to use proceeds from the marijuana sales tax one-third for neighborhood cleanup through the Public Works Department, one-third for homelessness response efforts through the Housing Department, and one-third for violence prevention through the Health Department.
The Housing Department requested $485,424 to cover cold weather shelter costs this winter. Mary Owens, the Housing and Community Development deputy director, said the department expected leftover marijuana sales tax money to roll over from the previous year to help cover shelter costs, but that money did not come through…