IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE waiving the reimbursement of acquisition cost required by section 1139., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to the transfer of ownership of the Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 unit dog, Spy, to dog handler and companion Deputy Jessica Davidson.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 6062, February 2, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Venessa Huskey, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, section 1139., Jackson County Code, 1984, requires a reimbursement to the County of its acquisition cost when a Sheriff’s Office K-9-unit dog is retired or relieved from duty due to age or injury, to allow for the dog’s handler to take ownership of the dog; and,
WHEREAS, K-9 unit member Spy was acquired by the Sheriff’s Office in 2018 at a cost of approximately $12,500.00; and,
WHEREAS, a K-9 unit dog typically has a working career that lasts until eight to nine years of age and Spy is nine years old; and,
WHEREAS, Spy is at the end of his duty life and it would not be cost effective to assign the dog to another handler for familiarization and retraining; and,
WHEREAS, according to Von Henger Kennels, LLC, Spy has no resale or market value given the canine’s age; and,
WHEREAS, the Sheriff recommends the waiver of the reimbursement requirement of section 1139. to allow Deputy Davidson to care for a valued canine member after retirement; and,
WHEREAS, retiring Spy is in the best interests of the health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Jackson County; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the reimbursement of acquisition cost required by section 1139., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to the transfer of ownership of Spy, to dog handler and companion Deputy Jessica Davidson, be and hereby is waived.
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. 6062 introduced on February 2, 2026, was duly passed on ______________________, 2026 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _______________ Nays ______________
Abstaining ___________ Absent ____________
The 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. 6062.
________________________ ________________________________
Date Phil LeVota, County Executive