IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County at the general election to be held on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, a question authorizing Jackson County to continue its countywide anti-crime sales tax (COMBAT) at the rate of one-quarter of one cent for a period of ten years for the purpose of promoting and providing public safety within Jackson County, including the prevention and treatment of drug abuse and addiction and the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and detention of violent criminals and drug dealers.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 6096, June 8, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Venessa Huskey, Manuel Abarca IV, Jalen Anderson and Donna Peyton, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, pursuant to Ordinance 4881, dated August 22, 2016, the voters of Jackson County did, on November 8, 2016, authorize the continuation of a countywide sales tax at the rate of one-quarter of one cent, to be used solely to combat the serious problems of illegal drug use and violent crime which were then and are still plaguing our community; and,
WHEREAS, since collection of this community-based anti-crime tax (COMBAT) began in 1990, the County has demonstrated a record of success in establishing anti-drug and violent crime initiatives in the areas of law enforcement, crime prevention, treatment, diversion, and deferred prosecution, among many others; and,
WHEREAS, unless continued by the voters, COMBAT will expire on March 31, 2027; and,
WHEREAS, continuation of COMBAT at this time would allow for better and more efficient planning and allocation of anti-crime resources; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature believes that COMBAT's record of success is such that the question of its continuation is worthy of submission to the voters of Jackson County; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri as follows:
Section 1. Pursuant to the provisions of § 67.547, RSMo Supp. 2013, there is hereby submitted to the qualified voters of Jackson County, Missouri, at the general election to be held on November 3, 2026, a question for the continuation of the countywide anti-crime sales tax (COMBAT) at the rate of one-quarter of one cent for a period of ten years for the purpose of promoting and providing public safety within Jackson County, including the prevention and treatment of drug abuse and addiction and the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and detention of violent criminals and drug dealers.
Section 2. All aspects of the tax shall continue to be administered in accordance with Chapter 93, Jackson County Code, 1984, except that a portion of the tax’s proceeds may be used to pay the costs incurred by the appropriate election authorities in conducting the election provided for in this Ordinance.
Section 3. The qualified voters at said election shall vote by ballot and the ballot to be used at said election shall contain the following language:
JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
QUESTION # _ 1 _
GENERAL ELECTION
NOVEMBER 3, 2026
OFFICIAL BALLOT
Shall Jackson County continue its anti-crime sales tax, commonly known as COMBAT, at the rate of one-quarter of one cent for a period of ten years for the purpose of promoting and providing public safety within Jackson County, including the prevention and treatment of drug abuse and addiction and the prevention, investigation, prosecution, and detention of violent criminals and drug dealers? The proceeds of this tax shall be deposited in a special Jackson County Anti-Crime Sales Tax Trust Fund, separate from the general fund or any other county funds.
YES
NO
If you are in favor of the question, place an "x" in the box opposite "Yes." If you are opposed to the question, place an "x" in the box opposite "No."
Section 4. If a majority of the qualified voters voting at said election shall vote in favor of the approval of this ordinance, the tax provisions hereof shall be binding and shall become effective April 1, 2027, and shall automatically terminate ten years after that date, March 31, 2037.
Section 5. The Clerk of the Legislature is hereby authorized and directed to notify the Jackson County and Kansas City Boards of Election Commissioners of the adoption of this Ordinance no later than 5:00 p.m. on August 25, 2026, and to include in said notification all of the terms and provisions required by §115.125, RSMo Supp. 2013.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its signature by the County Executive.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_____________________________
County Counselor
I hereby certify that the attached ordinance, Ordinance No. 6096 introduced on June 8, 2026, was duly passed on ________________________, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______________ Nays ______________
Abstaining _______________ Absent _____________
This Ordinance is hereby transmitted to the County Executive for his signature.
____________________ ________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature
I hereby approve the attached Ordinance No. 6096.
_________________ ________________________________
Date Phil LeVota, County Executive