IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County, Missouri, at a general election to be held on November 3, 2026, a question authorizing Jackson County to impose a countywide sales tax of one half of one percent for public transportation purposes.
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 6091, June 1, 2026
INTRODUCED BY Manual Abarca IV and Jalen Anderson County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, the public transportation system that currently operates in Jackson County is significantly underfunded; and,
WHEREAS, public transportation not only includes bus and rail options, but the sidewalks, accessible accommodations, and off-street trails that enable people to reach bus and rail stops as well as other key destinations; and,
WHEREAS, without a more reliable public transportation system, key populations such as older residents, people living with disabilities, and other groups that are unable to drive, are unable to reach key destinations in Jackson County; and,
WHEREAS, a more reliable public transit system would support safety, health, economic, and accessibility priorities for the residents of Jackson County; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County can use the recommendations of the Mid-America Regional Council’s existing and previous plans on public transportation, such as, but not limited to, Smart Moves Plan and related updates, to guide the use of funds generated for the purpose of public transportation; and,
WHEREAS, in pursuing this course of action, Jackson County can enable greater cooperation with other counties in the bi-state Kansas City metropolitan region on the pressing issue of public transportation
WHEREAS, the improvements can best be funded with a countywide sales tax at the rate of one half of one percent (1/2%); and,
WHEREAS, this tax is in the best interests of the health, welfare and safety of the citizens 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 _____, RSMo 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 authorizing Jackson County to impose a sales tax for the purpose of supporting public transportation.
Section 2. Subject to approval by the voters of the County, the levy of a sales tax in the amount of one half (1/2) of one cent (.5%), is hereby authorized for and within Jackson County, Missouri.
Section 3. The proceeds of the sales tax are to be used for the sole purpose of funding capital projects related to public transportation, operation of multimodal public transportation entities that support busses, paratransit, rail, and bike share operations, sidewalk construction and repair for projects that are located near future or existing bus and/or rail projects, related accessibility improvements to accommodate the needs of people living with disabilities, off-street trail construction and repair for projects that are located near future or existing bus and/or rail projects, and road or bridge repair projects on roads or corridors that have future or existing bus and/or rail projects.
Section 4. No more than 20% of the proceeds of this sales tax may be used for road and bridge repair projects on roads or corridors that have future or existing bus and/or rail projects.
Section 5. 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 # __
GENERAL ELECTION
NOVEMBER 3, 2026
OFFICIAL BALLOT
Shall the County of Jackson impose a countywide sales tax of one half (1/2%) of one percent for the purpose of providing a source of funds for public transportation purposes? Proceeds from the tax shall be used for the planning, development, acquisition, construction, maintenance, and operation of road maintenance, sidewalks, public transit facilities, paratransit, accessibility improvements, and trails.”
Section 6. If imposed by the County Legislature, and a majority of the qualified voters at said election vote in favor of the approval of this question, the sales tax, shall be effective on the first day of the first calendar quarter that begins at least forty-five (45) days after the Director of the Missouri Department of Revenue receives notice of the adoption of the sales tax.
Section 7. The County Legislature, with assistance from staff, shall produce and make available to the public an annual report which details how funds generated from the sales tax have been used. The report shall include, but is not limited to:
1. The overall amount of funds generated
2. The overall amount of funds spent
3. The location in the county where the projects are located
4. The cost of each project that was funded
5. Whether the project was a recommendation of the Mid-America Regional Council’s Smart Moves Plan or other planning documents
Section 8. This Ordinance shall be published as required by law.
Section 9. The Clerk of the Legislature is hereby authorized and directed to notify the Jackson County Board of Election Commissioners and the Kansas City Board of Election Commissioners of the adoption of this Ordinance no later than August 25, 2026, by 5:00 p.m. and to include in said notification all the terms and provisions required by Section 115.125, RSMo 2016.
Effective Date: This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its signature by the County Executive.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
Unsigned by the County Counselor
______________________________
County Counselor
I hereby certify that the attached Ordinance, Ordinance No. 6091 introduced on June 1, 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. 6091.
____________________ ________________________________
Date Phil LeVota, County Executive