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Commission proclaims May 2025 Community Action Month after local poverty testimony
Summary
A representative from ECAN urged the Miami County Commission to recognize rural poverty; commissioners proclaimed May 2025 Community Action Month and accepted data about local service levels cited by ECAN.
A representative of East Central Kansas Economic Opportunity Corporation told the Miami County Commission that poverty is more prevalent in rural areas and urged recognition of Community Action Month; the board then proclaimed May 2025 Community Action Month and accepted the proclamation unanimously.
Anne Smith, the human service coordinator for ECAN, addressed the commission during the public comment period, saying, “Many people may think that Miami County has little to no poverty, and this is quite the opposite of what we find at ECAN.” Smith described barriers including lower median incomes in rural households, limited job opportunities and reduced access to transportation and social services.
Smith told the commission that the county’s residents now face higher transportation costs for medical trips after the county lost a local kidney dialysis center, forcing some residents to travel to Olathe, Gardner, Ottawa, Harrisonville and Overland Park; she said KDOT van trips “could easily cost $40 round trip.”
The proclamation read at the meeting noted ECAN’s history, said ECAN provided services to 839 families and 1,684 individuals in its service area in the last reporting year, and cited a Miami County poverty rate of 7.9%. Chairman George Pratz read the proclamation and the commission accepted it on a motion by Commissioner Paul Scruggs, seconded by Commissioner Vickery. Commissioners voted unanimously to adopt the proclamation.
Why it matters: Commissioners formally recognizing Community Action Month highlights the county’s recorded poverty rate and local service delivery by ECAN; the public comment stressed transportation and service-access issues for low-income and elderly residents.
What the commission did and did not do: The board issued a proclamation recognizing Community Action Month and thanked ECAN representatives. The meeting record shows no additional policy or funding decisions tied to the proclamation; commissioners did not direct staff to create new programs or appropriate funds during the meeting.
Context and details from the record: The proclamation text cited the Economic Opportunity Act of 1964 and noted that ECAN was established in 1966. Smith emphasized rural poverty statistics and service pressures; commissioners thanked ECAN and invited a photograph after the proclamation.
