Jackson County Missouri

JOURNAL

Jackson County Courthouse

415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

(816)881-3242

County Legislature

DaRon McGee (4th) Chairman,

Office of

Megan L. Marshall (3rd AL) Vice Chairman,

Mary Jo Spino

Jalen Anderson (1st AL), Donna Peyton (2nd AL),

Manuel Abarca IV (1st), Venessa Huskey (2nd), Charlie Franklin (3rd),

Jeanie Lauer (5th), Sean E. Smith (6th)

Clerk of the County Legislature

Monday, September 25, 2023

3:00 PM

Thirty-fifth Regular Meeting

K.C. Legislative Assembly Area, Kansas City, Missouri

Megan L. Marshall, Vice Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to

order.

ROLL CALL

Present 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jeanie Lauer to

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on September 18, 2023.

The motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

Resolution #21405 and #21403 were adopted at this time. See pages 7

and 8 for details.

DaRon McGee, Chairman, arrived and assumed the Chair.

Resolutions #21404, #21406, #21407, and #21408 were adopted at this

time. See pages 8 and 9 for details.

DaRon McGee opened the public hearing for the Jackson County tax levies.

John Gordon, County Treasurer, presented information regarding the

County’s tax levies. He said the County certified the assessed valuations on

September 11, 2023. Using those assessed values, he calculated the tax

levy rate. There is a decrease in the tax levy. Even though the assessed

values went up over 22%, by law the County is required to reduce its rate so

the revenue generated on property cannot exceed 5% growth.

Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, said he noted in the ordinance there is a

required sales tax reduction. He asked how that impacts the tax levy. Mr.

Gordon said as sales tax increases the County is required to decrease its

property tax by 70%. There was a sales tax increase by the County and the

County reduced its tax levy according to the formula. Mr. Smith said the

sales tax reduction looks at prior years. Mr. Gordon said the County uses the

first six month’s sales tax and times it by two to get an estimate of the sales

tax collected. This formula is set by law. Once they receive the actual

numbers the following year, they compare those figures and make

adjustments. Mr. Smith asked about the sales tax on cannabis and if that tax

will be part of the sales tax reduction. Mr. Gordon said his understanding is

that it will not be part of the sales tax reduction for property tax levies.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, said he believes it is important to

point out that although there are significant increases to property values,

because of the Hancock Amendment, the increase to taxes is nominal.

Taxpayers bills will not be indicative of the assessed value increase in the

home. People believe if their home value increases by 90% that their tax bill

will increase the same amount. That is not the case. The Hancock

Amendment caps the increase to a nominal rate. John Gordon said that is

correct.

Jorgie McNamara, Executive Director, for EITAS, spoke in favor of

Ordinance #5795, the tax levy for the Jackson County Board of Services for

the Developmentally Disabled. EITAS uses the tax levy funding for services

in Jackson County. There are five tiers to their services. One is support

coordination. EITAS is one of the largest providers of support coordination

in the State of Missouri and is the only provider of a bilingual team of support

coordinators. This bilingual team will be speaking at a conference this week

about the impact of being able to connect on a cultural level with our clients.

EITAS also provides transportation to individuals with developmental

disability. They are the largest provider of transportation services in the state

of Missouri. They provide curb to curb and door to door transportation for

people with disabilities to get to work or day programs and medical

appointments. EITAS provides funding to not for profit agencies in Jackson

County that support people with developmental disabilities, filling the gaps

created by low Medicaid reimbursement rates. EITAS also provides free

training including CPR, first aid, and medication administration - training that

helps them do their job. EITAS provides community outreach services. It is

difficult for people to receive services if they do not have Medicaid. The

community outreach department helps people who need services get them

including helping people obtain Medicaid and services. The team includes

an autism specialist, a bilingual specialist, and a resource specialist. Voters

approved a tax levy of 10 cents per $100 in assessed valuation, but with the

Hancock Amendment the tax levy is reduced to 7.16 cents per $100 of

assessed valuation. That is low and may seem insignificant, but it is

essential for our residents with developmental disabilities and the providers

that serve them.

Dr. Bruce Eddy, Executive Director of the Community Mental Health Fund,

and Dr. Monique N. Johnston, Executive Director of Youth Ambassadors,

spoke in favor of Ordinance #5796. The Community Mental Health Fund

supports 40 not for profit organizations providing mental health services to

18,000 residents of Jackson County. The Mental Health Fund levy supports

people who are uninsured and under insured. They support innovative

approaches to improve access to care.

Youth Ambassadors is a strength-based employment program empowering

youth in our area to become future leaders through positive change. Through

the partnership with the Community Mental Health Fund, they have provided

access to mental health services for 99 youths. These young people live in

areas of high poverty and high-crime rate. These mental health services are

for young people who face significant barriers to receiving these services

free of charge.

Ordinances #5793, #5794, #5795 and #5796 were adopted at this time.

See pages 4 and 5 for details.

Todd M. Schuler, CPA, Audit Manager for the State of Missouri Office of the

State Auditor, said his office had received the Legislature’s request for

review of the Assessment Department’s processes and procedures. They

will work with the Administration and the Assessment Department to gain

access to the data they need. They will look at management processes. He

estimates the audit will begin by mid-October and will take about three to

four months. Ethan Evans, the Senior Auditor with the Auditor’s Office staff

will be in charge of the County’s audit. The cost is estimated at $110,000.00

to $160,000.00. They will be sending out an engagement letter. When they

finish the process, they will make recommendations to the Administration

and the Legislature. They will first present a draft of their report in a closed

session. The legislature will have the opportunity to respond to the draft

report. That response will be included in the final report that will be made

public. Mr. Schuler said he may be reached at 816-889-3658 or by email at

todd.schuler@auditor.mo.gov. The Auditor’s Office also has a hotline

number 1-800-347-8597 or email at moaudit@auditor.mo.gov.

Representatives Dan Wehmuller, Project Coordinator and Jeff Jenkins,

Project Director, from JCDC Partners LLC and JE Dunn - Axiom, gave an

update on the Detention Center Project. A copy of the Monthly Progress

Report is available under the Meeting Details for the September 25, 2023,

Legislative Meeting located at

<https://jacksonco.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?

ID=1122531&GUID=22E84FFC-56B1-4912-91CE-791610AB2711

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

County Executive Frank White, Jr. was not present. There were no reports.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5783

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $5,597,855.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2023 County Improvement Fund and awarding a contract for

construction services for exterior improvements to the Jackson County

Courthouse to Gunter Construction Co., of Kansas City, KS, under the terms

and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 23-037.

(Budget Committee - 4th. Perfection)

5789

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $110,000.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2023 Assessment Fund to cover the cost of salaries and

overtime for the remainder of the 2023 Board of Equalization (BOE)

appeals docket.

(Budget Committee - 2nd. Perfection)

5791

5792

5793

Anti-Crime Committee moved to perfect. Consent Agenda.

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan L. Marshall

to perfect Ordinance #5793. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

5793

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

adopt Ordinance #5793 setting the 2023 merchants’ and manufacturers'

inventory replacement tax levy. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

5794

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson to

perfect Ordinance #5794. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

5794

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

adopt Ordinance #5794 setting the 2023 Jackson County, Missouri, tax levy.

The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

5795

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey to

perfect Ordinance #5795. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

A motion was made by Donna Peyton, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to

adopt Ordinance #5795 setting the 2023 Jackson County Board of Services

for the Developmentally Disabled (Sheltered Workshop) Levy. The motion

passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

5796

A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Venessa Huskey to

perfect Ordinance #5796. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

adopt Ordinance #5796 setting the 2023 Jackson County Community

Mental Health Fund Levy. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

5788

5790

Consent Agenda.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

21391

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan L. Marshall,

to approve the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee Amendment dated

September 25, 2023 for Resolution #21391 to insert the words "including

cultural competency" after the words "educational services" in the fifth

paragraph on page one. The motion passed by a voice vote. Consent

Agenda.

21398

21399

Land Use Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute an Extension

to the Cooperative Agreement with ArtsKC for the development of an arts

strategic plan for Jackson County, at a cost to the County not to exceed

$250,000.00.

(Budget Committee - 1st. Meeting)

CONSENT AGENDA

5791

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $19,372.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2023 Grant Fund, in acceptance of a grant received from the

United States Office of National Drug Control Policy, High Intensity Drug

Trafficking Area program, for use by the Jackson County Drug Task Force

for reimbursement of overtime expenses.

(PERFECTED)

5792

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $19,840.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2023 Grant Fund, in acceptance of a grant received from the

United States Office of National Drug Control Policy, High Intensity Drug

Trafficking Area program, for use by the Jackson County Drug Task Force

for reimbursement of overtime expenses.

(PERFECTED)

5788

5790

21391

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $63,630.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2023 Grant Fund, in acceptance of the State of Missouri Drug

Courts Coordinating Commission Family Drug Court Program Grant for use

by the Family Court Division.

(ADOPTED)

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $10,000.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2023 Grant Fund in acceptance of funding provided by the

Organized Crime Enforcement Task Force for use by the Jackson County

Drug Task Force for “Operation Pony Express.”

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION laying out the direction for the detainee programming at the

new Jackson County Detention Center.

(ADOPTED)

21398

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute a twelve-month

Lease with Crane Brewing Company, LLC, of Raytown, MO, for certain

County property in the Rock Island Rail Corridor located adjacent to 6515

Railroad Street, Raytown, MO, 64133, for an annual rental fee payable to the

County in the amount of $3,000.00.

(ADOPTED)

Ordinances #5791 and #5792 were moved to the Consent Agenda for

perfection. Ordinances #5788, #5790 and Resolutions #21391 and #21398

were moved to the Consent Agenda for adoption.

A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to

approve the Consent Agenda. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

None.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

21401

Transferring $21,000.00 within the 2023 Park Enterprise Fund for food and

beverage items for resale at the Fred Arbanas Golf Course.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

21402

Authorizing the County Counselor to execute an Addendum to the existing

Legal Services Agreement with Husch Blackwell, LLP of Kansas City, MO,

for county-wide anti-discrimination and anti-harassment training at an actual

cost to the County in the amount of $20,000.00.

(Assigned to the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Committee.)

21403

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

adopt Resolution #21403, honoring the life and achievements of Irene

Hernández Ruiz. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca

IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E.

Smith

Absent: 1 - DaRon McGee

(ADOPTED)

21404

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Donna Peyton, to

adopt Resolution #21404, recognizing Carl L. Chinnery of Lee’s Summit,

Missouri, on being named the City of Lee’s Summit and Lake Lotawana’s

2023 Citizen of the Year. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

21405

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to

adopt Resolution #21405, urging Missouri Governor Mike Parson to not

pardon Eric DeValkenaere. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 5 -

Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa

Huskey and Charlie Franklin

No: 2 - Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Abstain: 1 - Megan L. Marshall

Absent: 1 - DaRon McGee

(ADOPTED)

Comments by Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Jeanie

Lauer and Megan Marshall, County Legislators.

21406

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan L. Marshall,

to adopt Resolution #21406, celebrating the contributions of Hispanic

workers to Jackson County. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

21407

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

adopt Resolution #21407, recognizing the important contribution of Hispanic

Associations to the Jackson County community. The motion passed by a roll

call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

21408

A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV,

to adopt Resolution #21408, recognizing the Jazz in the Valley event, a free

musical festival to be held on the Metropolitan Community College - Penn

Valley campus, September 29, 2023. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer

and Sean E. Smith

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, asked that his vote on Resolutions

#21404 and #21406 be changed from ABSENT to YES. Mary Jo Spino,

Clerk of the County Legislature changed the record to reflect his request.

NEW BUSINESS

None.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.

Meeting adjourned until Monday, October 2, 2023 at 3:00 P.M. at the

Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 2nd

Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.