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, January 12, 2026  
3:00 PM  
First Regular Meeting  
Eastern Jackson County Courthouse, 308 W. Kansas, Independence, Missouri, Ground  
Floor, Legislative Chambers  
DaRon McGee, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.  
1
ROLL CALL  
Present 9 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer  
and Sean E. Smith  
2
3
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Recited.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING  
A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Sean E. Smith to  
approve the journal of the previous meeting held on December 31, 2025.  
The motion passed by a voice vote.  
4
HEARINGS  
Nomination/Election of the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the County  
Legislature for 2026.  
DaRon McGee, Chairman, opened nominations for Chairman for 2026.  
Jeanie Lauer nominated Charlie Franklin.  
Venessa Huskey nominated Manuel Abarca IV.  
Ballots were distributed by the Deputy County Clerk.  
Manuel Abarca IV was elected Chairman of the County Legislature for 2026  
and the votes were as follows:  
Manuel Abarca: 5 - Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey,  
Sean E. Smith, and DaRon McGee  
Charlie Franklin: 4 - Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith, Jeanie Lauer, and  
Charlie Franklin  
DaRon McGee, Chairman, opened nominations for Vice Chairman for  
2026.  
Jeanie Lauer nominated Sean E. Smith.  
Megan L. Smith nominated Jalen Anderson.  
Ballots were distributed by the Deputy County Clerk.  
Sean E. Smith was elected Vice Chairman of the County Legislature for  
2026 and the votes were as follows:  
Sean E. Smith: 5 - Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey,  
Sean E. Smith, and DaRon McGee  
Jalen Anderson: 4 - Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith, Jeanie Lauer, and  
Charlie Franklin  
Manuel Abarca IV assumed the Chair.  
5
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE  
Phil LeVota, County Executive, was present and gave the following report:  
He congratulated the new Chair, Legislator Manuel Abarca IV and Vice  
Chair, Legislator Sean E. Smith. He also thanked the outgoing Chair,  
Legislator DaRon McGee for his leadership and professionalism.  
The tax bill deadline has been extended until January 31st. Taxpayers can  
pay, without penalties or late fees, in person, online or by mail with a  
postmark of January 31. For taxpayers concerned that payments have not  
yet cleared their accounts, efforts are underway to process payments and  
there will be no late fees or penalties.  
On Monday, January 19th the County offices will be closed in observance of  
the Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday.  
Personal property declarations are due March 1st and you can file online at  
jacksongov.org  
Mr. LeVota has streamlined the process to issue contracts regarding ARPA  
so that funds are distributed as soon as possible.  
Discussion with Legislator Sean E. Smith regarding account updates for  
taxpayers. Legislator Megan L. Smith, asked for an update on a meeting  
with the school districts about the State Tax Commission (STC) ruling and  
possible amendments. The County Executive said he is not pursuing an  
amendment with the STC. He said the Administration will meet with the other  
taxing jurisdictions (excluding schools) on January 29th.  
To view details, use the link below and select the video for the January 12,  
2026 legislative meeting at https://jacksonco.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  
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.  
(Anti-Crime Committee - 2nd. Perfection)  
7
FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES  
Without objection, Ordinance #6049 will be placed on the Consent Agenda  
for adoption.  
Megan L. Smith objected to the Consent Agenda.  
A motion was made by Megan L. Smith, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to  
hold Ordinance #6049. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
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.  
(PERFECTED)  
8
RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE  
22014  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with  
one twelve-month option to extend for the furnishing of disaster recovery  
services for use countywide to 21st Enterprise, LLC aka ServPro of Lee’s  
Summit, Missouri, under the terms and conditions of the Junior College  
District of Metropolitan Kansas City, Missouri (MCC) Contract No.  
19-7242-C3R2.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 9th Meeting)  
22120  
Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.  
9
CONSENT AGENDA  
22120  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract,  
with one twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of tree removal  
services for use by various County departments to Looks Great Services of  
Columbia, MS under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No.  
25-044.  
(ADOPTED)  
Resolution #22120 was moved to the Consent Agenda for adoption.  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to  
approve the Consent Agenda. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 9 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer  
and Sean E. Smith  
10  
11  
12  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
6052  
Repealing subsection 5293.2, of Jackson County Code, 1984, related to the  
subject of wreckers and tow services and enacting in lieu thereof one new  
subsection relating to the same subject.  
(Assigned to the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee.)  
6053  
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.  
(Assigned to the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee.)  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
22147  
Requesting the Missouri State Auditor to conduct a full comprehensive  
performance audit to examine and evaluate the management of Jackson  
County’s fiscal, budgetary, and procurement policies and procedures of the  
expenditure of ARPA funds.  
(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)  
22148  
Authorizing the County Executive to execute a permanent utility easement in  
favor of Missouri Alliance, LLC, dba Bluebird Fiber across a portion of  
Fleming Park, for a fee payable to the County.  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS  
25-41  
I hereby make the following appointment to the Kansas City Area  
Transportation Authority Commission:  
Chris Whiting, to replace Bryon Craddolph, for a term to expire 12/31/2029.  
A copy of his resume is attached.  
25-42  
25-43  
I hereby make the following reappointment to the Pension Plan Board of  
Trustees:  
Patrick A. Dujakovich is hereby reappointed to a new term set to expire  
12/31/2028.  
I hereby make the following appointment to the Plan Commission:  
Bo Moreno, to replace Justice T. Horn, for a term to expire 12/31/2029. A  
copy of his resume is attached.  
25-44  
I hereby order that the following holiday schedule for Jackson County,  
Missouri employees for the 2026 calendar year.  
2026 JACKSON COUNTY HOLIDAY SCHEDULE  
New Year’s Day  
Day after New Year’s Day  
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day  
Truman’s Birthday  
Memorial Day  
Thursday, January 1st  
Friday, January 2nd  
Monday, January 19th  
Friday, May 8th  
Monday, May 25th  
Juneteenth  
Friday, June 19th  
Independence Day  
Labor Day  
Veteran’s Day  
Thanksgiving Day  
Christmas Day  
Friday, July 3rd  
Monday, September 7th  
Wednesday, November 11th  
Thursday, November 26th  
Friday, December 25th  
The third Monday of February or the day before/after Thanksgiving is to be  
determined by the County Executive annually (not both) and coordinated with  
Memorandums of Understanding with Bargaining Units.  
FLOATING HOLIDAY  
Personnel Rule 9.2 after six months of employment, full-time associates are  
eligible for a floating holiday which must be used by December 31 each  
year.  
The County Executive reserves the right to order additional holidays or time  
off for employees as he sees fit.  
26-01  
I hereby make the following appointments/reappointments to the COMBAT  
Commission:  
Theresa Grado is hereby reappointed to finish her current term as the  
District 1 Commissioner set to expire 12/31/2028. Ms. Grado’s resume is  
attached.  
Katherine Baker is hereby appointed to a new term as the District 2  
Commissioner set to expire 12/31/2027. The seat was previously held by  
Arimeta R. Dupree. Ms. Baker’s resume is attached.  
Tim Dollar is hereby appointed to a new term as the District 3  
Commissioner set to expire 12/31/2028. The seat was previously vacant.  
Mr. Dollar’s resume is attached.  
John Sharp is hereby reappointed to finish his current term as the District 4  
Commissioner set to expire 12/31/2028. Mr. Sharp’s resume is attached.  
Dale Carter is hereby appointed to a new term as the District 5  
Commissioner set to expire 12/31/2027. The seat was previously held by  
Lanna Ultican. Mr. Carter’s resume is attached.  
Larry Beaty is hereby reappointed to a successive term as the District 6  
Commissioner set to expire 12/31/2029. Mr. Beaty’s resume is attached.  
Dana Altieri is hereby appointed to finish the current term as the At-large  
Legal Professional Commissioner set to expire 12/31/2028. Ms. Altieri’s  
resume is attached.  
Dr. Susan Wilson is hereby reappointed to finish her current term as the  
At-large Substance Abuse Professional Commissioner set to expire  
12/31/2028. Dr. Wilson’s resume is attached.  
Ebony Patterson is hereby appointed to a new term as the At-large Public  
Health/Healthcare Professional Commissioner set to expire 12/31/2027.  
The seat was previously vacant. Ms. Patterson’s resume is attached.  
13  
14  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
None.  
NEW BUSINESS  
Ron Hunt and David Patterson addressed the non-profit partnership grant  
process on behalf of the Raytown Baseball/Softball Association. The agency  
requested $21,500.00 to cover part of the registration fee for underserved  
youth.  
15  
ADJOURNMENT  
The County Legislature will not meet on January 19th in observance of the  
Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.  
The next legislative meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday, January 26,  
2026 at 3:00 P.M. at the Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street,  
Kansas City, Missouri, 2nd Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.