IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION proposing a 30-day joint study between Jackson County and the City of Kansas City, Missouri to explore the feasibility of utilizing the existing Jackson County Detention Center as a temporary jail facility for the City following the County's transition to its new detention center in January 2026, under a cooperative agreement at no cost to the City provided it assumes maintenance and operating costs, and directing that such study proceed concurrently with the City's solicitation of bids for a temporary jail.
Intro
RESOLUTION NO. 22038, September 22, 2025
INTRODUCED BY Sean E. Smith, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, Jackson County is scheduled to transition to a new Detention Center in
January of 2026, with no operating plans for the current facility; and,
WHEREAS, Kansas City, Missouri's elected leaders have expressed a need for a municipal jail; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County's existing Detention Center regularly cooperates with the Kansas City Police Department to detain individuals who are awaiting trial; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County's existing Detention Center continues to have the capacity to house inmates as it reaches the end of its service life; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County has an opportunity to repurpose the existing Detention Center for the City's use; and,
WHEREAS, Jackson County shall not impose a charge to the City for use of the
facility provided that the City appropriates the costs of operation and maintenance of the facility as a detention center after January of 2026; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the interest of the community for the County and the City to work together on major projects, ongoing needs, and community services and it is in the County's interest for the City to have a functioning detention center; and,
WHEREAS, the City of Kansas City, Missouri is expected to publish bids for a temporary
jail in September of 2025; and,
WHEREAS, a 30-day joint...
Click here for full text