Jackson County Missouri

JOURNAL

Jackson County Courthouse

415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

(816)881-3242

County Legislature

DaRon McGee (4th) Chairman,

Donna Peyton (2nd AL) Vice Chairman,

Jalen Anderson (1st AL), Megan L. Smith (3rd AL),

Manuel Abarca IV (1st), Venessa Huskey (2nd),

Charlie Franklin (3rd), Jeanie Lauer (5th)

Sean E. Smith (6th)

Office of

Mary Jo Spino

Clerk of the County Legislature

Monday, August 4, 2025

3:00 PM

Thirty-second Regular Meeting

K.C. Legislative Assembly Area, Kansas City, Missouri

DaRon McGee, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.

ROLL CALL

Present 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E.

Smith

Absent 1 - Jeanie Lauer

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Sean E. Smith to

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on July 28, 2025. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

Presentation of the Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) by

Allen, Gibbs & Houlik. Cheryl Colter with the Finance Department introduced

Jonathan Nibarger and Brian Holst to present the ACFR.

For a copy of the presentation please see the attachment under Meeting

details for the August 4, 2025 legislative meeting.

(<https://jacksonco.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx>)

Upon the completion of the presentation, there were questions from

legislators.

Sean E. Smith County Legislator, said on page 5 and 6 the auditors

recommended a comprehensive audit of policies and procedures related to

the internal controls. He asked if there were specific reasons or concerns

that triggered this statement. Brian Holst said nothing specific to Jackson

County but all of the letters from their group contain these items.

Mr. Smith said on page 4-5 the description of those responsible as the

approvers of transactions, which effectively roll up to the Director of Finance

and Purchasing; the list includes the Director of Purchasing, Deputy Director

of Accounting, Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer. He said there is no

mention of the County Legislature or the Legislative Auditor. Mr. Smith

asked the auditor's opinion about having all the authority for procurement

and payment vested in one management person, he asked if this is normally

a sufficient internal control or best practice for the segregation of duties

perspective. Mr. Holst responded he does not know if it is right or wrong. He

said their focus is on the process that has been approved by the body and

are the employees following it. Mr. Smith responded that the process has

not been approved by the County Legislature.

He said, in fact, efforts by the Legislative Auditor to gain transparency have

been thwarted. Mr. Smith asked if the auditors spoke to members of the

Legislative Auditor's staff as part of their annual comprehensive audit. Mr.

Holst said they did. Mr. Smith asked if staff expressed any concerns to the

auditors. Mr. Holst said the conversations are typically confidential but if they

do have concerns they follow up on the issues. Mr. Smith asked Mr. Holst as

part of his follow up to provide dates and times his team spoke with the

Legislative Auditor's staff. Mr. Holst said he is not sure if he can. Mr. Smith

said Mr. Holst's response is interesting. Mr. Smith said with regards to the

quality of this work product (ACFR), mid page 4 under "Internal Control

Matters" it refers to the client (Jackson County, Missouri) as a "city", and this

is not the first time in the report. In addition, it specifies our fiscal year ends

September 30, 2024, both statements are erroneous. Mr. Smith said it

appears Allen, Gibbs & Houlik took a letter from another client and put

Jackson County's name on the top with a couple other modifications. He

said this is an extreme concern for him and he wants to emphasize this to

other members of the County Legislature. Sean E. Smith said he wants to

dive deeper into the activities taken by this auditing team to complete the

(ACFR).

Mr. Smith said he sees on page 3 under the County's responsibilities,

changes in reporting in compliance and oversight, which goes to his

questions of if and when they spoke with the Legislative Auditor, including

any disclosure that took place that would need to be brought to the attention

of the County Legislature. Under the section of the report where they

describe new affiliates, directors, officers and persons, Mr. Smith asked

them to provide a list of who that is in Jackson County, Missouri so he can

understand how deeply they dug into the County's business practices as

opposed to the client that this letter was first drafted. He asked Mr. Holst and

Mr. Nibarger to follow up with information to address his questions and

concerns.

Megan L. Smith, County Legislator, referred to page 3 where Jackson

County elected to use current year expenses versus adjustments, she asked

if there is any benefits to do this either way. Mr. Holst said it is just a

preference issue for management.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, asked about missing contributions of

dollars. He said it is not common practice to not recognize amounts of

money such as opioid, ARPA and marijuana funds in the budget process.

He said these are kept out of the budget and was asking if they had any

understanding of this review process. Mr. Holst said Mr. Abarca's statement

is generic and he does not know enough about this to respond. Mr. Abarca

said allegedly there is between $10-$12 million in opioid fund settlements

that are never published in the budget documents, equally marijuana sales

tax money collected has never been recorded. These funds are missing

from public records. He wants to understand how these funds are being

recognized in any budget process with only the Administration having the

knowledge because the County Legislature does not have this information.

He said the willingness of the Administration to give the County Legislature

a complete budget book has been less than forthcoming which is difficult as

a fuduciary. He said the budget book was not completed until July 2025. He

agreed with Mr. Smith that the audit team should reach out to the Legislative

Auditor and his staff. He agrees follow up is necessary.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Frank White Jr., County Executive, was not present.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5904

5967

AN ORDINANCE repealing Section 5577., Jackson County Code, 1984,

relating to possession of firearms and age restriction, and to enact in lieu

thereof two new sections, Sections 5577. and 5578., relating to the same

subject, with a severability clause and a penalty provision.

(Legislature As A Whole - 34th Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE repealing subsections 7401.2., 7405.4., and 7406.5.,

Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to protections against retaliation for

complaints, cooperating with complaint investigations, and amending the

discretionary authority to decline a complaint and enacting, in lieu thereof,

three new subsections relating to the same subject.

(Legislature As A Whole - 15th Perfection)

5990

5995

AN ORDINANCE establishing a commercial property assessment rate cap

in Jackson County, Missouri

(Legislature As A Whole - 5th. Perfection)

Submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County, Missouri, at a special

election to be held on Tuesday, November 4, 2025, a question regarding the

recall of County Executive Frank White, Jr.

(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR MEGAN L. SMITH. CONCURRED BY

JALEN ANDERSON AND CHARLIE FRANKLIN.)

5996

5997

AN ORDINANCE enacting sections of the Jackson County Code, 1984,

relating to the establishment of fair property tax payment practices and

protections during appeals, providing for payment programs, appeal-based

payment extensions, and time limits on appeals resolution.

(Finance and Audit Committee - 3rd. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE establishing financial accountability for elected officials

who reject or obstruct certified recall petitions, requiring reimbursement of

special election costs if a court determines improper denial of voter certified

recall efforts.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 3rd. Perfection)

5998

5999

6000

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 3.94± acre tract from

District AG (Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).

(Land Use Committee - 1st. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 5.00± acre tract from

District AG (Agricultural) to District RE (Residential Estates).

(Land Use Committee - 1st. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE renewing a conditional use permit (CUP) in District AG

(Agricultural) for continuous operation of a short-term rental subject to

specified conditions, as to a 9.56± acre tract.

(Land Use Committee - 1st. Perfection)

The Land Use Committee will have a public hearing regarding Ordinances

#5998, #5999 and #6000 on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 1:00 P.M. in the

Kansas City Legislative Assembly Area.

6001

AN ORDINANCE enacting sections 7800., 7801., 7802., 7803., 7804., and

7805., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to the establishment of the

Senior Citizens’ Services Fund, with an effective date.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 1st. Perfection)

6002

AN ORDINANCE repealing Section 5577., Jackson County Code, 1984,

relating to possession of firearms and age restriction, and to enact in lieu

thereof two new sections, relating to the same subject, with a severability

clause and a penalty provision.

(Anti-Crime Committee - 1st. Perfection)

See details under UNFINISHED BUSINESS. Ordinance #6002 was

discharged from the Anti-Crime Committee to the Legislature As A Whole.

(Discharged to Legislature As A Whole)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

5994

Consent Agenda.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

21964

A RESOLUTION urging the County Executive to implement a temporary

moratorium on foreclosure proceedings and tax lien sales against

residential property owners affected by the 2019-2022 Jackson County

property reassessment cycle.

(Land Use Committee - 4th. Meeting)

21966

A RESOLUTION authorizing the Director of Parks + Rec to execute a

Memorandum of Understanding for conservation planning and natural area

restoration in the Jackson County Parks system with Bridging the Gap, a

non-profit organization, to participate in its Kansas City Wildlands program,

at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $25,000.00.

(Land Use Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

21967

21978

A RESOLUTION authorizing Jackson County’s participation in and adoption

of the Regional Multi-Jurisdictional Natural Hazard Mitigation Plan, as

presented by the Mid-America Regional Council, in partnership with the

local governments of Cass, Clay, Platte and Ray Counties, to fulfill eligibility

requirements for the federal hazard mitigation grant program.

(Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

A RESOLUTION awarding a fifteen month contract with four twelve month

options to extend for the leasing of golf carts, beverage cars, a six

passenger car, and a range picker for use by the Parks + Rec Department

to M&M Golf Cars LLC of Lee’s Summit, MO at a cost not to exceed

$32,756.00, under the terms and conditions of OMNIA Partners Contract

No. EV2671.1, an existing government contract.

(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Meeting )

The Finance and Audit Committee reported no recommendation on

Resolution #21978.

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to

hold Resolution #21978. The motion passed by a voice vote.

21978

Awarding a fifteen month contract with four twelve month options to extend

for the leasing of golf carts, beverage cars, a six passenger car, and a range

picker for use by the Parks + Rec Department to M&M Golf Cars LLC of

Lee’s Summit, MO at a cost not to exceed $32,756.00, under the terms and

conditions of OMNIA Partners Contract No. EV2671.1, an existing

government contract.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

CONSENT AGENDA

5994

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $82,500.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 Grant Fund, in acceptance of a grant received from the

United States Office of National Drug Control Policy, High Intensity Drug

Trafficking Area program, for use by the Jackson County Drug Task Force

for reimbursement of lease vehicle expenses and the purchase of illegal

drugs for use for undercover work.

Ordinance #5994 was 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: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E.

Smith

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

6004

Awarding a contract for construction service to connect the Rock Island Trail

and Little Blue Trace Trail under Federal Project No. TAP 3453(404) to

MegaKC Corporation Kansas City, MO, under the terms and conditions of

Invitation to Bid No. 24-098 at a cost to the County not to exceed

$2,870,540.00.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

6005

6006

Repealing subsection 2066.7., of the Jackson County Code, 1984, relating

to a senior tax credit, and enacting, in lieu thereof, one new subsection

relating to the same subject.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

Enacting section 1598., for the Jackson County Code, 1984, related to

revoking pension and benefit eligibility for any recalled County elected

official and their direct non-merit reports, and for other purposes.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

Bryan Covinsky, County Counselor, distributed a Floor Amendment dated

August 4, 2025 for Ordinance #6006 to the County Legislature and Clerk of

the County Legislature.

No objection to the consideration of Ordinances #6007 and #6008 - not on

printed agenda.

6007

6008

Enacting section 5542., of Jackson County Code, 1984, related to the use

of unlicensed gambling devices with severability clause.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, said he is working with the Kansas

City Police Department and the Sheriff's Office to make modifications to

Ordinance #6007.

Authorizing the Jackson County Counselor’s Office to pursue litigation or

other legal strategies on behalf of the Jackson County Legislature to oppose

the proposed redistricting of the 5th Congressional District.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

21982

Awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with two

twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of calcium chloride pellets

and rock salt supplies for use by various County departments, to Nu-Life

Labs, Inc. of Kansas City, Missouri and Humana Chemicals, Inc. of

Potomac, Maryland, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No.

24-087.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

21983

21984

Declaring certain real property as surplus real property and authorizing the

Administration to solicit bids for selling the surplus parcels.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

Transferring $36,300.00 within the 2025 Park Fund to purchase supplies at

Lowe’s Home Improvement for use by the Parks + Rec Department.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

The Clerk of the County Legislature received an email dated August

4, 2025 from Tina Spallo, Deputy Director of Park Operations with

Jackson County Parks + Rec, indicating Resolution #21984 is no

longer needed. The Sponsor and Chairman of the Finance and Audit

Committee have been notified.

21985

Awarding a contract for the purchase of an ADA inmate transport van, a

transport van and two SUV’s, for use by the Sheriff’s Office to Gary

Crossley Ford of Kansas City, MO, under the terms and conditions of State

of Missouri Contract No. MC250182001, an existing competitively bid

government contract, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of

$216,293.00.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

21986

Expressing the support of the Jackson County Legislature for the selection

of Murray Woodard II, as the new Director of COMBAT.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Venessa Huskey, County Legislator, asked to be added as a sponsor on

Ordinance #6007.

Megan L. Marshall, County Legislator, said there will be a public hearing on

Ordinances #5998, #5999 and #6000 on Monday, August 18, 2025 at 1:00

P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative Assembly Area.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, asked to be added as a sponsor on

Ordinance #6002.

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

discharge Ordinance #6002 from the Anti-Crime Committee to the

Legislature As A Whole. The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 4 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV and Venessa

Huskey

No: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Megan L. Smith

Abstain: 2 - Charlie Franklin and Sean E. Smith

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

After the legislative meeting the Clerk of the County Legislature

received an email from Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, advising

that he wanted to change his vote on the discharge motion from

Abstain to Yes. Therefore this motion passed with the following vote:

Yes: 5 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa

Huskey and Sean E. Smith

No: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Megan L. Smith

Abstain: 1- Charlie Franklin

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

Ordinance #6002 was discharged from the Anti-Crime Committee to

the Legislature As A Whole.

Refer to the Rules of the County Legislature - Rule 16 and 21 for the above

action on Ordinance #6002.

NEW BUSINESS

Manuel Abarca IV introduced Ordinance #6008 from the floor. See page 7

for details.

Mr. Abarca explained this Ordinance is in reference to the proposed

redistricting process of the 5th Congressional District. Since Jackson

County is included in a significant portion of this district, it is prudent that

Jackson County seek legal guidance to make sure the district does not get

gerrymandered. This ordinance is a request to have the county counselor's

legal team focus on this issue.

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

cancel the legislative meeting on August 11, 2025 scheduled to be held at 3

P.M. in the Independence Legislative Chambers. The motion passed by a

roll call vote:

Yes: 6 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa

Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Sean E. Smith

No: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Megan L. Smith

Absent: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.

Meeting adjourned until Monday, August 18, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. at the

Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 2nd

Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.