Jackson County Courthouse

415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

(816)881-3242

Jackson County Missouri

JOURNAL

County Legislature

Jeanie Lauer (5th) Chairman,

Megan L. Marshall (3rd AL) Vice Chairman,

Office of

Mary Jo Spino

Jalen Anderson (1st AL), Donna Peyton (2nd AL), Manuel Abarca IV (1st),

Venessa Huskey (2nd), Charlie Franklin (3rd), DaRon McGee (4th),

Sean E. Smith (6th)

Clerk of the County Legislature

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

1:00 PM

SPECIAL Meeting

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

Jeanie Lauer, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.

ROLL CALL

Present 9 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Manuel

Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee,

Sean E. Smith and Jeanie Lauer

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Donna Peyton to

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on December 30, 2024.

The motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

None.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Frank White Jr., County Executive, wished everyone a Happy New Year.

Mr. White referred to a letter he sent to legislators earlier today regarding

an extension to the application deadline for the Senior Property Tax

Credit program. He said they have had an overwhelming response. The

Administration believes an extension to June 30, 2025 would benefit

seniors. He said they will bring a plan for the County Legislature to review

at the next legislative meeting.

Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, said the original legislation for the

Senior Property Tax Credit did not have a deadline date. He said the

deadline was set by the Administration.

Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, said the Administration thinks it needs to be

codified with a deadline date added. He said they are working with the

Collections Department and the County Counselor's office to draft the

language and bring it back to the County Legislature.

Mr. Smith asked if June 30th will become the new annual deadline. Mr.

Clifford responded it could potentially be an annual deadline. The

Collections Department may want to provide feedback and make

recommendations after the program is in place for awhile. Mr. Smith

asked what the benefit is to codify it if it will be changed as it is

determined by the Administration. Mr. Clifford said if the County

Legislature wants to delegate authority to the Administration or if the

County Counselor's office believes it can be done through Executive

Order, it would not need to be codified. The Administration wants to make

sure they have the support of the County Legislature.

Sean E. Smith asked about the continuance filed by the County

Counselor's office on the State Tax Commission (STC) trial. He wanted to

say on the record to continue to delay a final outcome as Jackson County

enters into a new assessment cycle where assessed values and what is

lawful is dependent upon prior assessed values, it seems is creating

greater risk as well as problems for taxpayers. He would like to

understand the rationale behind filing the continuance and realizes this

discussion may necessitate a closed meeting. Bryan Covinsky, County

Counselor, said he would rather discuss it in closed session. However,

the reason for the continuance is because the Attorney General appealed

the court's decision to dismiss the case. Rather than getting inconsistent

verdicts/decisions since they appealed this week, it is called judicial

economy because they wait until a final decision is reached. Mr. Smith

said the explanation given is helpful. He said it is his understanding that

one case got dismissed and the other case is scheduled for trial in

January 2025, which is the one the County Counselor has asked to be

dismissed. Mr. Covinsky replied Jackson County challenged the initial

order, then STC challenged Jackson County. The court dismissed STC's

challenge which was then appealed which is the reason for judicial

economy.

Sean E. Smith asked the Administration about the long lines taxpayers

are experiencing now. He knows Chairman Lauer advocated and funded

kiosks to minimize these challenges for taxpayers. Grandview is the only

municipality that has a location for taxpayers to pay their tax bills. He

asked why there has been a hold up on the kiosks for over a year now.

Caleb Clifford said the County Administrator is not in attendance and he

has been working on this issue. He said they can provide an update at

the next legislative meeting or send an email to legislators regarding the

current status of kiosks. Mr. Smith observed since three senior members

of the Administration are present and cannot speak to this issue, it

appears it has not been a high priority. Mr. Clifford said that was not true.

He said if Mr. Smith would like to provide the Administration with advance

notice of topics he would like to discuss, the Administration will do their

best to have someone at the meeting to discuss it. Mr. Clifford said the

Administration will work with the County Administrator, Collector and

Assessor to get the information requested by Mr. Smith.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, asked why the Chief of Staff is

responding to questions when it is the responsibility of the County

Executive to understand and know all operations of Jackson County.

Lack of a simple answer regarding kiosks on the last day of the year

when taxpayers are trying to pay their taxes is unacceptable. He said the

Chief of Staff is not accountable to the citizens, it is the elected County

Executive. The County Legislature should be able to understand why it

has taken over a year to solve a problem that was known over two years

ago. He believes the Legislature needs to hold the County Executive

more accountable. Mr. Abarca asked the County Executive why the City

of Lee's Summit does not have the ability to continue a payment program

but the City of Grandview has the ability. Frank White Jr. responded the

City of Lee's Summit did not work out a plan with the County. He said the

City of Grandview worked with the Administration and the Assessment

department. He said Lee's Summit was online and he is not sure why

they are no longer online. He said the County Administrator with the

Assessment Department has been working to get entities online for this

process. Mr. White told Mr. Abarca to see him with any issues. Mr.

Abarca said the reality is politics in Jackson County continue to disallow

constituents to receive the best benefit. The County Legislature owes it to

their constituents to hold people accountable for their actions. The Mayor

of Lee's Summit sent a letter stating that because they sued about the

property taxes, the County Administration is retaliating. He said this is

ridiculous and he also thinks it is ridiculous to allow the County

Counselor's office to perpetuate these lawsuits when we know we are not

conforming with State law with regards to property tax rates. He said the

2025 Assessment Plan has not been accepted by the State of Missouri

which has cost Jackson County over $1 million dollars. He said not

challenging the County Executive to do something about all this is

detrimental to the County Legislature as well.

Frank White Jr., County Executive, said running the County

Administration is a big task and that is why he has staff to delegate tasks.

He said he has an issue with challenging someone's effectiveness in

open session. He said this is his 10th year in the job and he knows his

job. He said they have always done the right thing for the taxpayers. The

County Counselor's office has won 10 out of 10 lawsuits, to save

taxpayers money. He said his job is to stand between taxpayers and bad

law, to protect taxpayers. He thanked Chairman Lauer for giving him time

to respond.

DaRon McGee, County Legislator, asked what system the County

Executive was referencing when he said Grandview was online but Lee's

Summit was offline. Frank White Jr. said he is referencing the Collections

department. He said it is Jackson County's software and the County pays

taxing entities to collect the funding. The taxing entities must have an

agreement with Jackson County's IT department. Mr. McGee asked why

the City of Lee's Summit cannot get an agreement with IT to use the

software. Mr. White said that is between the municipalities and the

Assessment and Collections departments. He said he has not received a

letter from the City of Lee's Summit. Mr. McGee said he has not only

received complaints about long lines in Independence but also that staff

in Independence are rude when they are paying their tax bills. He asked

the County Executive what he is doing to mitigate these situations and

give taxpayers the best customer service possible. Mr. White said with his

Administration, customer service is their number one goal. They try to be

available and get them in the proper lines. He said if there is any type of

impropriety by his staff he would hear about it or his Collections

department would hear about it. He said they do not allow this as Jackson

County is in a bill collecting business. Mr. McGee suggested the County

Executive look into this issue and perhaps provide additional customer

service training for staff.

DaRon McGee asked the Administration's plan to market the deadline

extension for the application for the Senior Property Tax Credit program.

Frank White Jr. said they will follow the same steps as before, holding

community meetings and engaging pastors and churches.

Megan L. Marshall, County Legislator, asked if the ransomware attack

had any impact on the municipalities that have property tax collection

locations. Frank White Jr. said yes, portals need to be safe before being

brought back online, IT wanted to make sure it was secure. Ms. Marshall

asked if Jackson County is responsible for staffing the property tax

collection locations of municipalities. Mr. White said no, Jackson County

does not staff the locations. Ms. Marshall asked if municipalities charge a

transaction fee when collecting taxes. Mr. White said no he does not

think they can charge. Ms. Marshall asked if there is a list of drop box

locations in Jackson County, Missouri. Mr. White responded yes. Ms.

Marshall offered her assistance to market the extension of the application

deadline for the Senior Property Tax Credit program as she believes it will

benefit seniors.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5904

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 - 8th. Perfection)

5906

AN ORDINANCE awarding a contract for construction services for the

Stoenner Road Bridge Replacement County Project No. 3247, Federal

Project No. BRO-B048 to Dondlinger & Sons Construction Company,

Inc., of Wichita, KS, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid

No. 24-068 at a cost to the County not to exceed $877,022.00.

(Public Works Committee - 7th. Perfection)

5909

AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County,

Missouri, at the primary election to be held on August 5, 2025, a question

to amend the Jackson County Charter, with an effective date.

(Rules Committee - 7th. Perfection)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

5902

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

to adopt the Floor Amendment dated December 30, 2024 for Ordinance

#5902, to adopt the annual budget and set forth appropriations for the

various spending agencies and the principal subdivisions thereof, for the

fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. The motion passed by a roll call

vote:

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

McGee and Sean E. Smith

No: 4 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie

Lauer

(APPROVED)

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

21641

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive or the Chairman of the

Legislature to sell the County-owned property located at 1300

Washington Street, Kansas City, MO 64105 via the competitive bidding

process.

(Legislature As A Whole - 27th Meeting)

21766

21821

A RESOLUTION transferring $49,500.00 within the 2024 General Fund

and authorizing a contract to cover the cost of consultation and proposal

services to Colette Holt & Associates Law Firm of San Antonio, TX, at a

cost to the County not to exceed $49,500.00.

(Legislature As A Whole - 14th Meeting)

A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with

one twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of on-call

construction management at risk services for use by various County

departments to McCown Gordon, of Kansas City, MO, under the terms

and conditions of Request for Qualifications No. 24-051.

(Public Works Committee - 8th. Meeting)

CONSENT AGENDA

None.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

None.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

None.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, apologized for not being in person at

the meeting as he has had some health challenges and he appreciates

those who have reached out. He thanked Chairman Lauer for her service

as Chairman of the County Legislature this year and her dedication to the

constituents of Jackson County. He said he is proud to serve will his

colleagues and thanked them as well. Chairman Lauer thanked Mr.

Anderson for his work.

Manuel Abarca said he just received communication from the Speaker of

the House of Representatives who said he has been trying to pay his

taxes using the online portal since this morning and he would like the

Administration to look into this issue. Mr. White said they will look into it.

ADJOURNMENT