The Kansas City Council is made up of 12 council members plus Mayor Quinton Lucas, for 13 voting seats total. The current Kansas City Council members were elected in June 2023 and serve through 2027. Each of the city’s six districts is represented by two members: one in-district member elected only by voters inside the district, and one at-large member who lives in the district but is elected citywide.1City of Kansas City. City Officials
Current Council Members by District (2023–2027)
The full roster confirmed on the city’s official website:2City of Kansas City. City Council Members
- 1st District: Kevin O’Neill (At-Large), Nathan Willett (In-District)
- 2nd District: Lindsay French (At-Large), Wes Rogers (In-District)
- 3rd District: Melissa Patterson Hazley (At-Large), Melissa Robinson (In-District)
- 4th District: Crispin Rea (At-Large), Eric Bunch (In-District)
- 5th District: Darrell Curls (At-Large), Ryana Parks-Shaw (In-District, Mayor Pro Tem)
- 6th District: Andrea Bough (At-Large), Johnathan Duncan (In-District)
Mayor Quinton Lucas presides over the body, having won reelection in 2023.
How the Two-Seat District System Works
Every Kansas City voter has three council members working for them: the in-district representative for their own district, the at-large member tied to that district, and the mayor. A voter in the 4th District, for example, chose Eric Bunch as the in-district member, while Crispin Rea’s at-large seat was decided by voters across the entire city even though Rea must live in the 4th. The arrangement blends neighborhood-level representation with citywide accountability.
What the Council Does
The council passes the ordinances that govern zoning and land use, public health, business licensing, and other local matters. Most of the real work happens in standing committees covering areas like finance, public safety, transportation, and neighborhood planning, where members hear testimony and shape bills before they reach the full council for a vote.
The council also adopts the city’s annual budget. The city manager drafts a proposed budget and sends it to the council, which reviews, amends, and votes on the spending plan. Under the Charter, the council must adopt the budget at its fourth meeting in March, setting funding for police, fire, public works, and every other department for the coming fiscal year.3City of Kansas City. Budget Process – Adopted Budget Members confirm mayoral appointments to boards and commissions, from the Board of Police Commissioners to planning and zoning bodies, and can override a mayoral veto.
Terms, Pay, and Qualifications
Council members serve four-year terms and may hold a seat for two consecutive terms.4City of Kansas City. About City Council After sitting out one cycle, a former member can run again. The next full council election falls in 2027.
Members are classified as part-time city employees. In 2023 the council approved a 15 percent raise that brought member pay to roughly $81,538 per year, with the mayor paid more to reflect the office’s added responsibilities. Compensation can change by council vote.
To hold a seat, a council member must be at least 25 years old and a registered voter for two years before the election. District candidates must have lived in the district for at least six months before filing. Members cannot hold another paid public office or work as a city employee while serving, and they must be current on city taxes. A felony conviction or the loss of any qualification causes automatic forfeiture of the seat.
How to Reach Your Council Member
The city website offers an interactive district map and address lookup so you can identify the two members assigned to your address. The City Clerk’s office keeps a public directory with phone numbers and email addresses for every member.2City of Kansas City. City Council Members
Full council sessions are held on the 26th floor of City Hall at 414 East 12th Street, typically Thursdays at 2:00 PM. Standing committees generally meet Tuesdays and Wednesdays in the 10th floor committee room. The schedule shifts week to week, so check the city’s meeting calendar before heading downtown.5City of Kansas City. Meeting Calendar Public testimony is accepted at committee meetings rather than full council sessions, and meetings are accessible in person and virtually through Zoom or Microsoft Teams, where remote attendees use the “raise your hand” feature to be recognized. Committees are where residents have the most direct influence, since they shape the bills the full council ultimately votes on.
A Coming Change to the Council’s Structure
Voters approved a charter amendment that will restructure the council from the current six-district layout into nine in-district seats and three at-large seats. Under the amended Section 203, each at-large district will combine three contiguous in-district territories.6Kansas City. Kansas City File 211125 The current six-district configuration and the members listed above remain in place through the end of the 2023–2027 term, and the new structure is expected to apply beginning with the next municipal election.