IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION establishing the application process, procedures, and eligibility criteria for candidates seeking appointment to the Office of Jackson County Executive following the removal of Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr., in accordance with the Jackson County Charter. The Jackson County Legislature has the authority to appoint an appointee to hold the Office of Jackson County Executive.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22072, October 6, 2025
INTRODUCED BY Donna Peyton, County Legislator
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WHEREAS, the Jackson County Executive was removed from office by voters of Jackson County, Missouri, in a special election held on September 30, 2025, pursuant to the Jackson County Charter, the County Legislature is required to appoint an appointee to hold the office of County Executive until January 1 following the next General Election; and,
WHEREAS, to maintain public trust and legitimacy, the County Legislature must follow a fair, transparent, and participatory process for selecting an appointee to hold the Office of County Executive; and,
WHEREAS, members of the Jackson County Legislature have conducted public listening sessions to solicit citizen input relative to the desired qualifications, skills, and abilities of the appointee to hold the Office of County Executive; and,
WHEREAS, the Charter does not mandate that members of the public be allowed to question applicants for appointed positions during the selection process, the County Legislature will allow members of the public to submit questions to the Legislature prior to the candidate interviews; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature is committed to implementing a transparent, participatory, and inclusive application and hearing process to appoint an appointee to hold the Office of County Executive; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, as follows:
Section 1. Application Timeline and Eligibility.
Applications for appointment to the Office of County Executive shall be accepted until October 8, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. CST;
Section 2. Public Hearing and Candidate Presentations.
a. A public hearing shall be held no later than October 14, 2025, at 10:00 a.m., during which all applicants shall be interviewed by the Jackson County Legislature either in person or virtually;
b. Applicants shall be recognized in alphabetical order by last name, and each shall have three (3) minutes to deliver an opening statement;
c. Following opening statements, members of the Jackson County Legislature shall have the opportunity to ask questions directly of each applicant;
d. After questioning, each applicant, again in alphabetical order, shall be allotted three (3) minutes for closing remarks;
Section 3. Public Questions.
a. Members of the public may submit written questions or comments for consideration to the Legislature prior to the public hearing;
b. Submitted questions may be reviewed and incorporated by the Vice Chair at her discretion during the interview process;
Section 4. Effective Date.
This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon its adoption.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
______________________________
County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution No. 22072 of October 6, 2025, was duly passed on _____________________________, 2025 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______________ Nays ______________
Abstaining ___________ Absent ____________
______________________ ____________________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature