IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE enacting section 1598., for the Jackson County Code, 1984, related to revoking pension and benefit eligibility for any recalled County elected official and their direct non-merit reports, and for other purposes.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 6006, August 4, 2025
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, it is the intent of the Legislature to ensure that no County elected official removed through a recall process, continues to receive taxpayer-funded retirement or benefit entitlements; and,
WHEREAS, the public trust must be preserved and those who are recalled through a democratic process should not continue to receive benefits indefinitely; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature desires to create one new section in Chapter 15 regarding revocation of benefits for recalled officials; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, as follows:
Section A. Enacting Clause. Section 1598., of the Jackson County Code, 1984, is hereby enacted, to read as follows:
1598. Revocation of Benefits for Recalled Officials.
Any elected official of Jackson County who is recalled from office by the voters shall immediately forfeit all future eligibility to participate in or receive benefits from any County-funded pension or retirement plan and shall be disqualified from receiving continuation of any County-funded healthcare or ancillary benefits.
1598.1 Exclusions.
This ordinance shall not apply retroactively to individuals recalled or removed from office prior to the effective date of this ordinance. It shall not apply pension benefits earned prior to the date of recall.
1598.2 Severability.
If any provision of this ordinance is held to be invalid, such invalidity shall not affect the other provisions which can be given effect without the invalid provision, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are declared severable.
1598.3 Effective Date.
This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its adoption.
1598.4 Penalty Clause.
Any attempt to fraudulently retain or reinstate benefits in violation of this ordinance shall be considered a violation of County Code and subject to administrative and legal action, including repayment of improperly disbursed funds and disqualification from future County employment.
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. 6006 introduced on August 4, 2025, was duly passed on__________________, 2025 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. 6006.
____________________ ________________________________
Date Frank White, Jr., County Executive