Roeland Park reviews 2025 grants: city budgeted $175,000 and awarded $117,057 in resident assistance

Roeland Park staff presented a year-end review of 2025 grant programs and spending at the Feb. 16 meeting.

Assistant City Administrator Jennifer Janice Lacy told the council the city budgeted $175,000 for grants and awarded $117,057 in 2025; the total includes supplemental funds from Johnson County and federal sources. Lacy outlined program-by-program results: Neighbors Helping Neighbors (budgeted $20,000; nine projects received $14,003.35 for exterior painting, window replacement, tree removal and yard cleanup), the Meyer Home Repair Program (five approved projects totaling $33,007.28 for windows, concrete repair, radon mitigation and HVAC work) and property-tax rebates (eligibility widened to 80% of median area income; 33 of 35 applicants qualified and 27 awards were made).

Lacy said utility assistance has been the largest demand, with staff serving 12 households for rental assistance and 122 households for utility assistance in 2025. She described a change allowing Johnson County to flex funds between rental and utility assistance based on need, noting the city's direct support for utility assistance is $15,000 and additional dollars are provided by partners. "We budgeted a 175,000 for all of these grants, and... we have awarded a 117,057," Lacy said.

Council members asked about carryover of unspent funds and website clarity for application eligibility. Lacy said underspent funds fall back to the general fund and that staff will consolidate grant information on the website and add the tree-fund materials to the grants page. She also recommended marketing changes and expanded outreach to schools and social-service partners to increase awareness.