Earlier this summer, the Post asked our readers what issues you wanted to hear candidates running for Leawood City Council to address leading up to the Nov. 4 election.
Based on that feedback, we developed a five-item questionnaire centering the issues most important to Leawood residents.
Each day this week, we’re publishing the candidates’ responses to one question.
Today, we’re publishing candidates’ responses to the following question:
Budget: From inflation to rising health insurance costs to uncertainty around federal grants and programs, municipalities are facing a number of budgetary pressures. As you face difficult decisions about what city services to fund and how much to spend in coming years, what city services will you want to protect most? On the other hand, are there aspects of city spending you want to see trimmed?
Below are the answers the Post received from candidates on this issue:
Ward 1
Sarah Meuli
Did not provide the Post with a response.
Matt Peppes
Leawood has a long history of responsible budgeting and I believe that same discipline will be critical as we navigate rising costs and economic uncertainty. My priority will always be to protect the services that most directly impact residents’ quality of life – public safety, infrastructure maintenance, and our parks and trails system. These are the core strengths that make Leawood such a desirable place to live and are essential to preserving property values and community well-being. We should also continue finding ways to operate more efficiently, whether that’s through shared resources, technology improvements, or re-evaluating programs that no longer deliver strong value. It’s not about cutting for the sake of cutting, but about making sure every dollar is used wisely and transparently.
By staying focused on smart planning, fiscal responsibility, and long-term investments that strengthen our city, we can continue providing exceptional services without putting additional strain on taxpayers.
Ward 3
Mitch Lohr
Leawood has a long tradition of sound financial stewardship—preserving our AAA bond rating, keeping mill levies at the second lowest rate for comparable cities, and providing exceptional services even amid national and global economic pressures.
When facing tough budget choices, I’ll prioritize maintaining the core of what makes Leawood such a desirable place to live: public safety, infrastructure, and parks. Quick fixes or across-the-board cuts may sound appealing, but often create deeper problems down the road.
Regular, critical inspection of the city budget allows for an adaptable approach to help Leawood meet whatever challenges come our way. For example, as weather patterns shift and storms intensify, we must budget proactively for stormwater management and infrastructure resiliency. Long-term planning that’s rooted in fiscal discipline and foresight is the best way to ensure Leawood remains economically strong for generations to come.
Rachel Rubin
I will always vote to protect Leawood’s police, fire and public works services as I view those as essential. In addition, residents choose to live in Leawood for its parks, recreation art offerings, so I view these as essential to the quality of life we enjoy in Leawood. Programming for residents of all ages is essential for our physical, social and emotional wellbeing.
We are fortunate to have so many long-time city employees. We therefore need to continue to provide competitive market wages and benefits for our employed staff, in order to recruit and retain the best qualified staff.
Daniel Taylor
Did not provide the Post with a response.
