Half of the 11-member Unified Government Board of Commissioners is up for election this fall, with the potential to shape budget, housing and development decisions across Wyandotte County for the next four years.

That board is the chief governing body for the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas.

Three candidates are running in the Aug. 5 primary to represent District 5, where Mike Kane has decided not to run for reelection. After the Kansas primary, the top two vote-getters will proceed to the Nov. 4 general election.

District 5 covers the northwestern part of the county, including most areas north of Parallel Parkway and west of 78th Street.

To prepare for this year’s Unified Government election, The Beacon reached out to all candidates in the competitive primary races with a three-part questionnaire. These questionnaires include biographical questions, five short-answer policy questions and five lightning-round yes-or-no questions. Some responses have been edited for length or clarity.

Following the Kansas primary election on Aug. 5, one candidate will be eliminated, and the other two will proceed to the general election on Nov. 4.

The three candidates in the District 5 race are LaVert A. Murray, Alma D. Hall and Carlos Pacheco III.

Click on a link to jump to a question:

• Meet the candidates.
• What would you do to improve public safety?
• What kinds of developments would you prioritize in Wyandotte County?
• What parts of the budget would you be willing to trim in order to balance the budget? Are there any parts of the budget that are non-negotiable for you?
• Do you believe the Unified Government should do more to cooperate with or resist the deportation of Wyandotte County residents?
• If elected, what issues will you make your own?
• Lightning-round questions.

Meet the candidates

LaVert A. Murray

Murray is retired. Most recently he served as the chief economic development adviser under Mayor Tyrone Garner.

He is a certified economic development professional, municipal government finance specialist and trained public administrator. Prior to his position in the mayor’s office, he worked for decades in the United Government’s economic development department.

What’s your favorite place in Wyandotte County, and why? 

Childhood memories take me back to Big Eleven Lake and the Quindaro Bluffs area, and since I designed and built the Quindaro Ruins Overlook it is hard to think of a more tranquil place, except maybe the F.L. Schlagle Library at the Wyandotte County Lake.

However, my favorite place in WyCo is the Kaw Point Park along the confluence of the Kansas and Missouri rivers, overlooking the downtown skyline. This is where Lewis and Clark started it all out for us. The area has special meaning for me as I spent considerable time there with Capt. Dick Lynn as he moored the riverboats, the Missouri River Queen and the America, there as the park was being created. Riverboat dinner excursion rides along with an amusement park brought thousands to gather there every week for a festive time. This was our community’s tourist attraction area before the advent of the Legends, Kansas Speedway and the Renaissance Festival. The site also gave viewing to the Fairfax airport before it was decommissioned to make way for the new General Motors plant. It is truly a tranquil place that lets you take in all of Kansas City.

What organization in Wyandotte County is doing community work that you admire? 

There are so many organizations in WyCo that do exemplary and praiseworthy work, which makes it difficult to single out one. The Friends of Yates with its battered women’s workshop is a great example of the many community partnerships that make a great community impact. However, if I am required to single out one organization it would have to be Community Housing of Wyandotte County, which builds quality housing throughout our community and finds ways to assist responsible families to make these homes affordable, which is designed to stabilize neighborhoods.

Alma D. Hall

Hall works at Kansas City, Kansas, Public Schools.

What’s your favorite place in Wyandotte County, and why? 

As a runner, my favorite place is the view between 123rd and 115th on Donahoo Road. Coming down that hill at sunrise or sunset, depending on the time that I run, is truly special. The sight of cows grazing in the pasture brings me a sense of peace as I pass by that farm. It reminds me of the beauty and the roots of what Kansas City, Kansas, is all about.

What organization in Wyandotte County is doing community work that you admire? 

In our county, many nonprofit organizations are doing remarkable work to serve our community. Choosing just one would not adequately represent the efforts of the others. I admire the dedicated individuals who step out of their comfort zones to support those in need. As an advocate for the voiceless, I appreciate their selfless love for the community. With your votes, I can help provide even more assistance to our neighborhoods.

Carlos Pacheco III

Pacheco is a family medicine doctor and partner/owner at Heartland Primary Care, located in District 5. 

What’s your favorite place in Wyandotte County, and why? 

Wyandotte County Lake. It has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. I grew up fishing, sledding and celebrating milestones with family and friends in the park. Today, I get to share those same traditions with my wife and kids — whether it’s a weekend drive, or a visit to the F.L. Schlagle Library and nature trail, which our kids absolutely love. We’re there nearly every week. It’s my happy place.

What organization in Wyandotte County is doing community work that you admire? 

Wyandotte Health Foundation and KCK Police Athletic League.

What would you do to improve public safety?

Murray: I would promote and support a full public safety study and analysis for our entire community designed to address public safety shortcomings and inefficiencies. For example, we know that the West Patrol is not adequately staffed. These staffing patterns have been in place for years, even before the one year of revenue neutrality. While there can be some formalized attrition, there should be no cuts within the public safety arena. I am prepared to responsibly cut waste and inefficiencies in other areas so that we can devote proper resources to public safety to maintain a safe and desirable neighborhood.

Hall: Let’s transform our community centers into hubs for support and information, where our neighborhoods can mutually benefit from one another instead of being one-way service providers. This approach will foster cross-organizational collaboration, encouraging us to support one another. By recreating a culture of shared leadership, we can build a foundation of trust, making the community center a place that meets the diverse needs of all neighbors. When we collectively take ownership of our community’s vision, our collaboration can lead to shared goals of public safety and a strong, supportive community. It is our responsibility to take charge of our community.

Pacheco: As commissioner, I’ll expand community policing, grow youth engagement programs, and ensure our officers have the tools to build meaningful trust. I’m already doing that work — serving on the Wyandotte Health Foundation board and volunteering with the KCK Police Athletic League to strengthen bonds with our youth and reduce adverse childhood experiences. I will never waver in keeping our police department fully funded — because public safety isn’t optional.

What kinds of developments would you prioritize in Wyandotte County?

Murray: Our community needs commercial and retail developments that carry their own full tax load. In addition, our community needs quality, market-rate and upscale housing. The type of developments that appeal to me are STAR bond-financed developments that pull incentives from the state only, with NO incentives from our taxpayers. For example, data centers, if properly placed, like in areas along K-7 with no incentives would help strengthen our tax base. Developments like Buc-ee’s should be encouraged with NO tax breaks. These developments should have community support with responsible expectations so that they lessen the tax burden for our citizens.

Hall: We must address our essential needs, such as improving our streets, sidewalks and street lighting. Most importantly, we need to ensure that our developments generate career jobs that offer livable wages, so that everyone can afford to live here. Any company or business proposal must demonstrate a long-term commitment to our community, supporting our citizens and making positive contributions. We want to avoid situations where businesses take our hard-earned dollars for their own interests and leave us with debt. Currently, I focus on supporting our local small businesses and developing sustainable methods to foster and support them in Wyandotte County.

Pacheco: As a business owner, I know firsthand that Wyandotte County can’t afford to sit still — we need growth, or we will fall behind. As commissioner, I’ll prioritize developments that expand our tax base, create good-paying jobs and bring long-term value to our community. I’m especially focused on quality housing, mixed-use projects and business investments that attract new residents and revenue. The most appealing proposals are those that are community-driven, financially sound and ready to move. I’ll bring a sense of urgency and a growth mindset to every decision. 

What parts of the budget would you be willing to trim in order to balance the budget? Are there any parts of the budget that are nonnegotiable for you?

Murray: We should look at waste and inefficiencies and eliminate them. For a city and county our size, we are very top-heavy. Our salaries are high at the top level. The administrator’s office could trim highly paid high-level staff by letting the department heads do their jobs effectively. The Public Works Department should get back to street overlays and lasting infrastructure practices instead of costly cut-and-fill street repairs, which result in bumpy, nondrivable infrastructure. Environmental Services should go back to wearing generic-brand uniforms instead of Nike-branded clothing that cost the city much more. Public safety budgets should be responsibly protected.

Hall: Since revenue is neutral, our Unified Government has learned to make critical fiscal decisions to maintain the essential functions of our community. Struggling households in our community face similar tough choices regarding their home budgets, often requiring sacrifices. Leadership should prioritize our county’s needs over other interests. However, based on the budget reports, we may need to take a closer look at the community college budget. It’s nonnegotiable for me to continue studying the budget — “following the money” — before making decisions. As leaders, we must make decisions that benefit the entire community, rather than serving only specific groups or interests.

Pacheco: As commissioner, I’ll protect what matters most: public safety and working families. I won’t support cuts to police, fire or essential services that keep our neighborhoods safe and running. But I’ll make tough, responsible choices elsewhere — eliminating bloated contracts and outdated spending that no longer serve us. Every dollar should deliver for the people. With a business owner’s mindset, I’ll prioritize efficiency, transparency and results. Because balancing the budget should never come at the expense of those who protect us or provide the vital services our community depends on.

Do you believe the Unified Government should do more to cooperate with or resist the deportation of Wyandotte County residents?

Murray: I am a fervent Democrat who believes in the rule of law and as such I do not see a need to do more than what ICE is already doing within the confines of the law. Of course, if the law requires our public safety officials to do something then we have no choice. However, we should not go beyond the extent of the law. Where residents are acting responsibly and not breaking the law there is no need for concentrated, aggressive actions undertaken by ICE. Our residents and citizens should understand that and ICE should understand that as well.

Hall: As an immigrant, I understand the fear brought by the current rhetoric. This issue impacts the entire community. The beauty of our country lies in the richness of its diversity. I respect and support our current leadership’s resistance to deportation. I am grateful for their efforts on behalf of my immigrant community. I recognize that it can be challenging to stand by an organization or follow leaders when you disagree with their actions. However, it is essential to do so. I am thankful that our county leaders in law enforcement are doing their best not to follow deportation orders.

Pacheco: I believe we should follow the guidance of our law enforcement leaders in the Police Department and Sheriff’s Office, who’ve made it clear: their job is to keep our community safe, not to act as immigration agents. They’ve said they’ll comply with what’s legally required, but they’re not in the business of targeting immigrants or aiding deportations during routine police work. I support that approach. It builds trust, keeps families safe and ensures everyone feels secure reporting crimes or seeking help. Public safety depends on community cooperation, and that starts with smart, compassionate leadership.

If elected, what issues will you make your own?

Murray: We have tried in the past to adopt and maintain development policies that are more friendly to our taxpayers and BPU ratepayers. If elected I would develop more mechanisms to lower the burden on taxpayers. I would seek out a better mechanism so I would have better options than revenue neutrality to provide relief to our taxpayers and I would continue to find some tax relief. I would reduce the BPU PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) and demand that the BPU provide services from its lobby again. I would strenuously advocate no salary increases for elected officials. I would push for efficiencies in government.

Hall: Like many of you, I grew frustrated with the high taxes, lack of quality development and politics as usual with the UG. We must demand more and better economic development. We need high-paying and diverse employment opportunities. These jobs will propel Wyandotte County to better schools, better funding strategies and a larger tax base. Piper pays an enormous amount of property taxes, PILOT and sales taxes to support the entire county.  We must protect homeowners and families who are overwhelmed with high taxes.Together we can accomplish our goals of building a stable future, one economic development at a time.

Pacheco: I’ll lead with a growth-first mindset — competing hard for smart development that expands our tax base and strengthens revenue across Wyandotte County. My district has benefited from strong business momentum, and now is the perfect time to give back with projects that add lasting value: vibrant parks, pools, welcoming community centers and a modern library in western Wyandotte. These are community assets that will serve families across our county. Growth creates opportunity, and I’ll make sure opportunity reaches every corner of our community. I aim to add value, reduce waste and make us even prouder to call Wyandotte County home.

Lightning round questions

Candidates were asked for a yes-or-no position in response to these five questions:

1. Would you support using taxpayer money to pay for a stadium for the Chiefs or Royals?
2. Would you support a proposal to dissolve the Unified Government, separating Kansas City, Kansas, from Wyandotte County?
3. Would you support a property tax revenue freeze?
4. Would you support a regional sales tax to support public transportation?
5. Would you support increasing the salaries of the mayor and commissioners?