Jackson County Missouri  
JOURNAL  
Jackson County Courthouse  
415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor  
Kansas City, Missouri 64106  
(816)881-3242  
County Legislature  
Manuel Abarca IV (1st) Chairman, Sean E. Smith (6th) Vice Chairman,  
Jalen Anderson (1st AL), Donna Peyton (2nd AL), Megan L. Smith (3rd AL),  
Venessa Huskey (2nd), Charlie Franklin (3rd),  
Office of  
Mary Jo Spino  
Clerk of the County Legislature  
DaRon McGee (4th), Jeanie Lauer (5th)  
Monday, February 23, 2026  
3:00 PM  
Fourth Regular Meeting  
K.C. Legislative Assembly Area, Kansas City, Missouri  
Sean E. Smith, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.  
1
ROLL CALL  
Present 6 -  
Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith,  
Venessa Huskey and Charlie Franklin  
Absent 3 - Manuel Abarca IV, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer  
2
3
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Recited.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING  
A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Jalen Anderson to  
approve the journal of the previous meeting held on February 09, 2026. The  
motion passed by a voice vote.  
4
5
HEARINGS  
Resolution #22155 was adopted at this time. See page 4 for details.  
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE  
Phil LeVota, County Executive, was present and gave the following report:  
There are two bald eagles that have nested in Blue Springs and have been  
named Freedom and Liberty. The eagles are also Jackson Countians.  
There is a link to watch the 3 eggs in the nest.  
Notices have been sent to religious organizations regarding how to file for  
property tax exemptions. The notices contain a link and QR Code to view the  
information.  
Letters were sent to commercial taxpayers that confirm no penalties or late  
fees will be assessed for those who estimated their taxes owed and paid  
within the deadline.  
He restated that declarations are due by March 1st. For instructions on how  
to file, taxpayers can visit the website at jacksongov.org for a video and also  
to find an email address and phone number to contact the Assessment  
Department. Declarations must be filed by May 1 to avoid penalties.  
On last week's Fridays with Phil podcast, he spoke with Legislator Venessa  
Huskey regarding the Freedom Wall located in Leon Jordan Memorial Park.  
Nominations for Freedom Wall honorees for 2026 will be accepted until  
April 6, 2026. Applications can be found online.  
The State Attorney General weighed in on the legality of Ordinance #6007  
related to the use of unlicensed gambling devices. The County Executive  
would like to work with the Legislature to ensure the legislation is in  
compliance with state law. He suggested the County Legislature obtain  
guidance from the County Counselor and reconsider the ordinance.  
He discussed overpayments made in 2024 and 2025 to Jackson County  
from the opioid settlement. The City of Kansas City Missouri contacted  
Jackson County to advise that some of the opioid monies owed to the City  
of Kansas City were mistakenly paid to Jackson County. He wants to bring it  
to the attention of the Legislature so that the issue can be resolved and the  
City receives the funds rightfully owed them. He is working with the County  
Counselor to draft a response asking for an explanation of how and why this  
happened.  
Legislator Donna Peyton thanked the County Executive, Chief of Staff and  
County Administrator for their assistance with her workshop on how to file for  
tax exemptions.  
6
PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE  
6050  
AN ORDINANCE prohibiting law enforcement officers from concealing their  
faces or badges during performance of their official duties and establishing  
penalties and exemptions.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 2nd. Perfection)  
6054  
AN ORDINANCE requesting a renewal of a conditional use permit (CUP) in  
District AG (Agricultural) for continuous operation of a horse boarding facility  
subject to specified conditions, as to a 48.09± acre tract.  
(Land Use Committee - 2nd. Perfection)  
6055  
6056  
6057  
6058  
AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the  
Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 19.48± acre tract from  
District AG (Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).  
(Land Use Committee - 2nd. Perfection)  
AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the  
Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 20.00± acre tract from  
District AG (Agricultural) to District RR (Residential Ranchette).  
(Land Use Committee - 2nd. Perfection)  
AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the  
Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 70.00± acre tract from  
District AG (Agricultural) to District RR (Residential Ranchette).  
(Land Use Committee - 2nd. Perfection)  
AN ORDINANCE appropriating $636,425.00 from the undesignated fund  
balance of the 2026 Park Fund for construction services provided by  
Hartline Construction of North Kansas City, MO for use by the Parks + Rec  
Department.  
(Public Works Committee - 2nd. Perfection)  
6059  
6061  
AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County,  
Missouri, at the general election to be held on April 7, 2026, a question to  
amend the Jackson County Charter, with an effective date.  
(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 2nd. Perfection)  
AN ORDINANCE prohibiting all permit and zoning approvals for non-County  
or municipal government owned detention facilities.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 2nd. Perfection)  
7
FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES  
6049  
AN ORDINANCE establishing a third-party monitoring program for Jackson  
County projects and authorizing access for qualified contracted third parties  
to conduct site visits.  
6053  
6060  
6062  
Consent Agenda.  
Consent Agenda.  
Consent Agenda.  
8
RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE  
22149  
A RESOLUTION approving the 2026-2027 Jackson County Assessment  
and Equalization Maintenance Plan.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 2nd. Meeting)  
22150  
A RESOLUTION awarding a thirty-month term and supply contract, with  
three twenty-four-month options to extend, for the furnishing of information  
technology products and services for use by various County departments to  
SHI International Corporation, of Somerset, NJ under the terms and  
conditions of OMNIA Partners Contract Number 2024056-02, an existing  
competitively bid government contract.  
(Public Works Committee - 2nd. Meeting)  
22153  
22154  
Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.  
A RESOLUTION authorizing the Prosecuting Attorney to execute a one-year  
agreement with the City of Grain Valley, with one twelve-month option to  
extend, to engage in anti-crime, anti-violence, and law enforcement  
school-based initiatives and purposes, at a cost to the County not to exceed  
$75,000.00.  
(Anti-Crime Committee - 2nd. Meeting)  
22155  
A motion was made by Donna Peyton, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to  
adopt Resolution #22155, honoring the Kansas City Public Schools  
Mentoring Program in recognition of National Mentoring Month. The motion  
passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith,  
Venessa Huskey and Charlie Franklin  
Absent: 3 - Manuel Abarca IV, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer  
(ADOPTED)  
22157  
22160  
A RESOLUTION authorizing the Chair of the Jackson County Drug Task  
Force to execute a Legal Services Agreement with Williams & Campo,  
P.C., of Lee’s Summit, MO, to provide legal services for the Task Force, at  
a cost to the County not to exceed $3,500.00.  
(Anti-Crime Committee - 2nd. Meeting)  
A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Counselor to execute a Legal  
Services Agreement with certain lawyers and law firms at an aggregate cost  
to the County not to exceed $50,000.00.  
(Finance & Audit Committee - 2nd. Meeting)  
22163  
22165  
A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of items for resale by  
the Parks + Rec Department to Dunlop Sports of Dallas, TX, as proprietary  
purchases.  
(Public Works Committee - 2nd. Meeting)  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month contract, with three twelve-month  
options to extend, for the furnishing of independent auditing services for use  
by the Finance and Purchasing Department to Clifton Larsen Allen, LLP, of  
Kansas City, MO, under the terms and conditions of Request for Proposals  
No. 25-053, at a cost to the County for 2026 not to exceed $150,000.00.  
(Finance & Audit Committee - 2nd. Meeting)  
22170  
22171  
A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the purchase of a deep core  
aerifier for use by the Parks + Rec Department for the Fred Arbanas Golf  
Course to Redexim North America, Inc. of Valley Park, MO, under the terms  
and conditions of invitation to Bid No. 25-055 at a cost to the County not to  
exceed $52,541.00.  
(Public Works Committee - 1st. Meeting )  
A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of two (2) Ford F-600  
trucks with installed snowplow packages for use by the Public Works  
Department to Viking-Cives Midwest of Morley, MO, under the terms and  
conditions set forth in Sourcewell Contract No. 062222-VCM, an existing,  
competitively bid government contract, at an actual cost to the County in the  
amount of $287,050.00  
(Public Works Committee - 1st. Meeting )  
22172  
A RESOLUTION recognizing honorarium payments to community volunteers  
who assisted in the evaluation of non-profit grant applications.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Meeting )  
9
CONSENT AGENDA  
6053  
AN ORDINANCE repealing sections and subsections 9103., 9104., 9113.,  
9121., 9120.2., 9125.4., and 9125.5., of Jackson County Code, 1984,  
relating to the Board of Equalization, and enacting, in lieu thereof, four new  
sections and three new subsections relating to the same subject, with an  
effective date.  
(ADOPTED)  
6060  
6062  
AN ORDINANCE appropriating $264,216.00 from the undesignated fund  
balance of the 2025 Grant Fund in acceptance of the 2024 JAG Grant  
awarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.  
(ADOPTED)  
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.  
(ADOPTED)  
22153  
A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute an  
Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement with the City of Independence,  
Missouri, for the use of certain County property for a civic event, at no cost to  
the County.  
(ADOPTED)  
Ordinances #6053, #6060, #6062 and Resolution #22153 were moved to  
the Consent Agenda for adoption.  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Donna Peyton, to  
approve the Consent Agenda. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith,  
Venessa Huskey and Charlie Franklin  
Absent: 3 - Manuel Abarca IV, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer  
10  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
6064  
6065  
6066  
6067  
Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified  
Development Code by rezoning a certain 161.00± acre tract from District  
AGp (Agricultural Planned) to District AG (Agricultural).  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified  
Development Code by rezoning a certain 4.87± acre tract from District AG  
(Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified  
Development Code by rezoning a certain 10.00± acre tract from District AG  
(Agricultural) to District RR (Residential Ranchette).  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified  
Development Code by rezoning a certain 3.05± acre tract from District B  
(Two Family) to District LI (Light Industrial).  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
6068  
Amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the Unified  
Development Code by rezoning a certain 9.75± acre tract from District LB  
(Local Business) to District LI (Light Industrial).  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
11  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
22175  
Awarding a twelve-month contract, with three twelve-month options to  
extend, for training, consulting services, and software maintenance on the  
Mobile Assessor Software for use by the Assessment Department to  
Woolpert, Inc. of Dayton, OH, as a sole source purchase, at an actual cost to  
the County in the amount of $114,355.00.  
(Assigned to the Finance & Audit Committee.)  
22176  
Awarding a thirty-six-month contract with three twelve-month options to  
extend for the furnishing of fuel products and related services for use by  
various County departments to Frazier Oil & L.P. Gas Co., Inc., of Gower,  
Missouri, awarded under the terms and conditions of City of Kansas City,  
Missouri Contract No. EV4024, an existing government contract.  
(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)  
22177  
22178  
Authorizing the Interim Director of Finance and Purchasing to issue a check  
in the amount of $8,330.00 to Harvest AV Solutions of Kansas City, MO for  
the relocation of media equipment used in the Kansas City Legislative  
Assembly Area.  
(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)  
Authorizing the County Counselor to execute an addendum to the Legal  
Services Agreement with Cheri Simpkins of Lee’s Summit, MO, under the  
terms and conditions of Request for Qualifications No. 24-060, at a cost to  
the County of $600.00 per day not to exceed $70,000.00.  
(Assigned to the Finance & Audit Committee.)  
22179  
22180  
Authorizing the County Executive to execute a permanent utility easement in  
favor of Spire Missouri, Inc. for a fee payable to the County.  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
Awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with two  
twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of LEWeb law enforcement  
computer information services for use by various County departments to the  
Regional Justice Information Service (REJIS) Commission of St. Louis, MO,  
as an acquisition from another governmental entity.  
(Assigned to the Anti-Crime Committee.)  
22181  
22182  
Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with one twelve-month  
option to extend, for dump truck repair for use by the Public Works  
Department to Rush Truck Centers of Kansas City, MO, as a sole source  
purchase.  
(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)  
Awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with one  
twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of legal process services for  
use by the Family Support Division of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to  
D&B Legal Services of Prairie Village, KS, under the terms and conditions  
of Request for Proposals No. 25-051.  
(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)  
22183  
Authorizing the County Executive to execute an Intergovernmental  
Cooperative Agreement with the City of Oak Grove to provide for the mill  
and overlay of pavement on the shared portions of Robinson and White  
Roads, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $121,595.00.  
(Assigned to the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee.)  
12  
13  
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS  
None.  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
None.  
14  
NEW BUSINESS  
Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, recognized Black History month, not only  
recognizing past and present County Legislators and Executive but also the  
first black woman Prosecuting Attorney in Jackson County, Melesa Johnson  
and the first black Sheriff in Jackson County, Darryl Forte. He remembered  
Hiram Revels who founded the African Methodist Episcopal Church in  
Independence and was the first African American to serve in the U.S.  
Congress, as a U.S. Senator for Mississippi in 1870. In addition he  
mentioned Reverend Jesse Jackson, Rosa Parks, and Dr. Martin Luther  
King Jr.  
15  
ADJOURNMENT  
A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to  
adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.