Minutes - County Legislature

Jackson County Missouri

JOURNAL

Jackson County Courthouse

415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

(816)881-3242

County Legislature

Donna Peyton (2nd AL) Chairman, Sean E. Smith (6th) Vice Chairman,

Office of

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

Mary Jo Spino

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

Clerk of the County Legislature

Charlie Franklin (3rd), DaRon McGee (4th), Jeanie Lauer (5th)

Monday, August 10, 2026

3:00 PM

Thirtieth Regular Meeting

Eastern Jackson County Courthouse, 308 W. Kansas, Ground Floor, Legislative

Chambers

Donna Peyton, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.

ROLL CALL

Present 7 -

Donna Peyton, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused 1 - Jeanie Lauer

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on August 03, 2026. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

Public hearing regarding Resolution #22367, authorizing the County

Executive to take necessary preliminary steps to facilitate the issuance of

Special Obligation Bonds for improvements to University Health facilities

and services.

Charlie Shields, CEO of University Health, testified in favor of the resolution.

Resolution #22367 was adopted at this time. See page 6 for details.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Phil LeVota, County Executive, was present and made the following report:

The Annual Comprehensive Financial Audit is completed. Next Monday,

there will be a presentation to the Legislature of the findings.

Currently, there is Opioid Settlement money that has not been used or

distributed. Also, there is currently no accounting for yearly projections of the

fund which is an issue found in the audit.

Chairman Peyton asked for an update regarding the Senior Tax Levy Board.

The County Executive said the Board has been appointed and he should be

meeting with them in a few weeks. Legislator Sean E. Smith asked for the

Board to meet with the Legislative Auditor to advise on their spending plan.

Mr. LeVota agreed.

To view details from this section of the journal, click on the link below and

select the video of the County Legislative meeting dated Monday, August

10, 2026.

https://jacksonco.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

6050

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

perfect Ordinance #6050 prohibiting law enforcement officers from

concealing their faces or badges during performance of their official duties

and establishing penalties and exemptions.. The motion failed by a roll call

vote:

Yes: 1 - Jalen Anderson

No: 3 - Donna Peyton, Sean E. Smith and Megan L. Smith

Abstain: 2 - Venessa Huskey and Charlie Franklin

Absent: 2 - Manuel Abarca IV and DaRon McGee

Excused: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(FAILED)

Bryan Covinsky, County Counselor, reiterated the previous opinion issued

by his office regarding Ordinance #6050. If adopted, it could possibly

subject Jackson County to ongoing litigation. Also, given the current

precedents established in courts nationwide, it would also negatively impact

the County financially.

6077

AN ORDINANCE enacting section 6004., of the Jackson County Code,

1984, relating to standards for care and treatment in Jackson County

residential facilities with a severability clause.

(Legislature As A Whole - 19th Perfection)

6091

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

perfect Ordinance #6091submitting 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.. The motion failed

by a roll call vote:

Yes: 0

No: 7 -

Donna Peyton, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(FAILED)

6097

6105

AN ORDINANCE establishing the position of Legislative Intern within the

Office of the Jackson County Legislature and setting forth provisions

governing the appointment, supervision, and employment of Legislative

Interns.

(Legislature As A Whole - 11th Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE repealing sections 1030. and 1040. of the Jackson

County Code, 1984, relating to competitive bidding, and enacting, in lieu

thereof, two new sections relating to the same subject.

(Finance & Audit Committee - 4th. Perfection)

6109

A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

perfect Ordinance #6109. The motion passed by voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

adopt Ordinance #6109 appropriating $32,000.00 from the undesignated

fund balance of the 2026 Anti-Crime Sales Tax Fund and authorizing the

Prosecuting Attorney to execute an agreement with a certain outside agency

which is engaged in anti-crime, anti-violence, drug prevention and treatment

activities, at a cost to the County not to exceed $32,000.00. The motion

passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Donna Peyton, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

6110

A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

perfect Ordinance #6110. The motion passed by voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to

adopt Ordinance #6110 transferring and appropriating $18,758.00 from the

undesignated fund balance of the 2026 Park Fund, to properly account for

the receipt of insurance proceeds relating to damage of a Parks + Rec

Department flatbed truck. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Donna Peyton, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

6111

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

perfect Ordinance #6111. The motion passed by voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to

adopt Ordinance #6111 appropriating $82,500.00 from the undesignated

fund balance of the 2026 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 funding of undercover duties, purchases, and vehicles. The motion

passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Donna Peyton, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

None.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

22323

A RESOLUTION directing the County Executive, the Department of Public

Works, and all appropriate County departments and agencies to develop

and implement a comprehensive framework governing the siting,

construction, expansion, and operation of artificial intelligence and

high-capacity data center facilities within Jackson County, Missouri, and

establishing conditions necessary to protect public infrastructure, utility

systems, environmental resources, public safety, and neighboring

communities.

(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Meeting )

22355

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

adopt Resolution #22355 authorizing the County Executive to execute a

Memorandum of Understanding with the Kansas City, Missouri Parks and

Recreation Department related to the maintenance of the parks facilities

within the County's Park System.. The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 0

No: 7 -

Donna Peyton, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(DEFEATED)

22357

A RESOLUTION establishing the Jackson County Housing Trust Fund to

support the development, preservation, rehabilitation, and accessibility of

affordable housing throughout Jackson County, Missouri, and requesting the

County Administration to develop policies governing the use of the Fund.

(Budget Committee - 3rd. Meeting)

22364

22365

Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

22367

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

adopt Resolution #22367 authorizing the County Executive to take

necessary preliminary steps to facilitate the issuance of Special Obligation

Bonds for improvements to University Health facilities and services. The

motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Donna Peyton, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

CONSENT AGENDA

22364

A RESOLUTION declaring certain County-owned IT equipment as surplus

property and authorizing its disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of Jackson

County Code, 1984.

(ADOPTED)

22365

A RESOLUTION awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract,

with one (1) twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of roofing

services for use by various County departments to Delta Innovative Services

of Kansas City, KS and Blue Chip Roofing and Waterproofing of Lee’s

Summit, MO under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 26-037.

(ADOPTED)

Resolutions #22364 and #22365 were moved to the Consent Agenda for

adoption.

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to

approve the Consent Agenda. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Donna Peyton, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

None.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

22368

Declaring certain County-owned boats as surplus property and authorizing

their disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of Jackson County Code, 1984.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

22369

Awarding a six-month extension to a term and supply contract, with two (2)

twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of personal computers,

miscellaneous computer hardware, software, maintenance, and

professional services for use by various County departments to

ConvergeOne of Bloomington, MN, under the terms and conditions set forth

in Cooperating School Districts of Greater Kansas City Contract No.

CO62518, an existing government contract.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

22370

22371

Awarding a split twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with one (1)

twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of HVAC services for use by

various County departments to EMCOR Services-Fagan of Kansas City, KS

and Lippert Mechanical Service of Kansas City, MO, under the terms and

conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 26-038.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

adopt Resolution #22371 authorizing the Jackson County Legislature to hold

a closed meeting on Monday, August 10, 2026, for the purpose of

conducting privileged and confidential communications between itself and

the Jackson County Counselor under sections 610.021(1) and (3) of the

Revised Statutes of Missouri and closing all records prepared for

discussion at said meeting. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Donna Peyton, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Excused: 1 - Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Closed meeting per Resolution #22371. The closed meeting may be

followed by the introduction and adoption of a Resolution in open session to

authorize the settlement of a legal action, cause of action or litigation matter.

The County Legislature recessed to go into closed session.

The County Legislature reconvened.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

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

Meeting adjourned until Monday, August 17, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. at the

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

Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.