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, October 20, 2025

3:00 PM

Forty-first 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, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused 1 - Jalen Anderson

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on October 13, 2025. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

None.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Phil LeVota, County Executive, was present and passed out cookies to

legislators and others in attendance. He expressed his excitement as he

begins his first full week as County Executive. He mentioned the

collaborative nature that has begun between the legislature, himself and his

new staff.

He introduced his staff: Theresa Garza is his Chief of Staff, Steve Arbo is

his County Manager and Lauren Powell is his Executive Assistant. Ms.

Garza and Mr. Arbo made brief introductory statements.

County Executive LeVota gave an update regarding the employee health

insurance rates. There was a 6% increase and the decision was made that

the County absorb those costs with no increase to employees.

Mr. LeVota gave a report about property assessment relief. Partnering with

the Legislature, he stated it was decided there will be a 15% cap on

commercial property assessments to provide stability and fairness for

businesses. Under the authority of the Home Rule Charter (Article III, Section

6, paragraph 9) the County Executive can correct errors in assessment and

tax records. He briefly described the process that will be used to address

the issues.

His final report was that Dogtober Fest was a success. The event was

sponsored by Jackson County Parks + Rec. The goal for dog food

collection was 5 tons, but a total of 6.2 tons of dog food was collected and

donated to the Lee's Summit and Blue Springs animal shelters. There were

5,200 people in attendance.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5967

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 - 24th Perfection)

6007

6009

AN ORDINANCE enacting section 5542., of Jackson County Code, 1984,

related to the use of unlicensed gambling devices with severability clause.

(Legislature As A Whole - 9th Perfection)

A motion was made by Megan L. Smith, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV to

perfect Ordinance #6009, amending the zoning districts established

pursuant to the Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 117.00±

acre tract from District AG (Agricultural) to District RU (Residential Urban).

The motion passed by a voice vote.

Yes: 4 -

DaRon McGee, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and Charlie

Franklin

No: 3 - Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith and Jeanie Lauer

Abstain: 1 - Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(FAILED)

6011

AN ORDINANCE repealing sections 9103. and 9104., Jackson County

Code, 1984, relating to the Board of Equalization, and enacting, in lieu

thereof, two new sections relating to the same subject, with an effective date.

(Budget Committee - 7th. Perfection)

6016

6026

Legislature As A Whole moved to perfect. Consent Agenda.

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 17.68± acre tract from

District AG (Agricultural) to District RR (Residential Ranchette).

(Land Use Committee - 3rd. Perfection)

6027

6028

AN ORDINANCE vacating a portion of an unnamed and unimproved right of

way within Breezy Meadows, a subdivision in Jackson County.

(Land Use Committee - 3rd. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 10.13± acre tract from

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

(Land Use Committee - 3rd. Perfection)

6029

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

perfect Ordinance #6029. The motion passed by voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

6029

6030

Anti-Crime Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

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

perfect Ordinance #6030. The motion passed by voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

6030

6031

Anti-Crime Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $566,113.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 Grant Fund in acceptance of the OSCA Treatment

Court Funding Grant received from the Missouri Office of State Courts

Administrator.

(Justice and Law Enforcement Committee - 3rd. Perfection)

6032

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

perfect Ordinance #6032. The motion passed by voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to adopt. Consent

Agenda.

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

Consent Agenda.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

21992

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

two twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of broker and

consulting services for the County’s employee group health, life, and dental

insurances for use countywide to CBIZ Benefits & Insurance, Inc. of Kansas

City, MO, under terms and conditions of Request for Proposals No. 25-019,

at a cost to the County not to exceed $250,000.00.

(Legislature As A Whole - 5th. Meeting)

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.

(Budget Committee - 7th Meeting)

The Budget Committee recommended adoption of Resolution #22014.

Legislator Manuel Abarca IV objected, therefore it will be held in

Legislature As A Whole.

22035

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

adopt Resolution #22035 authorizing the County Executive to execute a

Memorandum of Understanding with the Greater Kansas City Building and

Trades Council, for the period effective immediately up until 2 years from

now. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

22038

Proposing a 30-day joint study between Jackson County and the City of

Kansas City, Missouri to explore the feasibility of utilizing the existing

Jackson County Detention Center as a temporary jail facility for the City

following the County’s transition to its new detention center in January 2026,

under a cooperative agreement at no cost to the City provided it assumes

maintenance and operating costs, and directing that such study proceed

concurrently with the City’s solicitation of bids for a temporary jail.

(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR SEAN E. SMITH. CONCURRED BY DONNA

PEYTON AND MANUEL ABARCA IV)

22049

Setting the parameters for which the Legislature will select an interim County

Executive when the duly elected Executive is recalled.

(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR MANUEL ABARCA IV. CONCURRED BY

DONNA PEYTON AND SEAN E. SMITH)

22051

22053

22054

Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute Cooperative

Agreements with certain agencies that provide services and assistance to

victims of domestic violence, at an aggregate cost to the County not to

exceed $46,705.00.

(Health and Environment Committee - 3rd. Meeting)

Legislator Manuel Abarca IV asked to be added as a sponsor to Resolution

#22054.

22055

22056

Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to adopt. Consent

Agenda.

Anti-Crime Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

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

adopt Resolution #22061 honoring Anna Munguia an emerging leader. The

motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

22062

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

adopt Resolution #22062 honoring Anthony “AO” Oropeza, an artist and

designer. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

22063

22064

22065

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

adopt Resolution #22063 honoring Deputy Chief Luis Ortiz and his work at

the Kansas City Police Department. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

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

adopt Resolution #22064 honoring Joe Arce, a journalist and community

leader. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

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

adopt Resolution #22065 honoring Laedan Galicia the artist. The motion

passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

22066

22067

22068

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Donna Peyton, to

adopt Resolution #22066 honoring Vania Soto the artist. The motion

passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

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

adopt Resolution #22067 honoring Xavier Loya a firefighter and advocate.

The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to adopt. Consent

Agenda.

22069

22070

22073

Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

To utilize Mid-America Regional Council to establish a transparent process

for selecting an interim Jackson County Executive.

(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR MEGAN L. SMITH. CONCURRED BY SEAN

E. SMITH AND DONNA PEYTON)

CONSENT AGENDA

6016

AN ORDINANCE prohibiting County employees from knowingly making

false material statements to the County Legislature by amending Chapter 74

and incorporating such prohibition into the Jackson County Code of

Conduct.

(PERFECTED)

6018

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $33,600.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 Grant Fund in acceptance of the Sheriff’s Office’s

Impaired Driving Enforcement Grant awarded by the Missouri Department

of Transportation, Highway Safety and Traffic Division, and authorizing the

County Executive to execute a contract for the acceptance and expenditure

of grant funds.

(ADOPTED)

6019

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $473,774.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 General Fund and transferring $364,690.00 from the

Sheriff’s Office 2025 General Fund in acceptance of the Sheriff’s Office’s

DWI/Traffic Safety Unit Salary Grant awarded by the Missouri Department of

Transportation, Highway Safety and Traffic Division, and authorizing the

County Executive to execute a contract for the acceptance and expenditure

of grant funds.

(ADOPTED)

6020

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $18,200.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 Grant Fund in acceptance of the Sheriff’s Office

Hazardous Moving Violation Enforcement Grant awarded by the Missouri

Department of Transportation, Highway Safety and Traffic Division, and

authorizing the County Executive to execute a contract for the acceptance

and expenditure of such grant funds.

(ADOPTED)

AN ORDINANCE authorizing the County Executive to execute a

Cooperative Agreement with Kansas City Southern Railroad for removal of

a Rock Island bridge that crosses a section of the Kansas City Southern

Railroad, at no cost to the County.

(ADOPTED)

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $69,345.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 Grant Fund, in acceptance of a three-month extension

of the VOCA Grant awarded to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office by

the Missouri Department of Social Services.

(ADOPTED)

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $69,345.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 Grant Fund, in acceptance of a three-month extension

of the VOCA Grant awarded to the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office by

the Missouri Department of Social Services.

(ADOPTED)

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $10,000.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 Grant Fund in acceptance of the OSCA Domestic

Relations Resolution Fund Mediation grant received from the Missouri

Office of State Courts Administrator.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Counselor to execute an addendum

to a 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 $40,000.00.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Counselor to execute a Legal

Services Agreement with Anne Baggott of Denton’s Law Firm at an

aggregate cost to the County not to exceed $50,000.00, for services to be

performed in 2025.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of the National

Automobile Dealers’ Association price guide for use by the Assessment

Department to J.D. Power of Troy, Michigan, as a sole source purchase, at

an actual cost to the County not to exceed $170,365.00.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION transferring $38,496.00 within the 2025 General Fund and

awarding a contract for the purchase of handheld narcotics analyzers to

Thermo Fisher Scientific of Tewksbury, MA under the terms and conditions

of GSA Contract No. GS-07F-6099R, an existing competitively bid

government contract for use by the Sheriff’s Office.

(ADOPTED)

22057

22058

A RESOLUTION awarding a twenty-four-month contract for annual software

maintenance and support services for use by the COMBAT Administrative

Division of the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office to CivicPlus of

Manhattan, KS, as a sole source purchase, at an actual cost to the County in

the amount of $13,741.00.

(ADOPTED)

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

three twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of ice machine rental

services for use by various County Departments to Easy Ice, of Lenexa, KS,

under the terms and conditions set forth in 16th Judicial Circuit of Missouri

Contract No. 10002261, an existing competitively bid government contract.

(ADOPTED)

22059

22068

A RESOLUTION authorizing the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office to execute

a Memorandum of Understanding for the terms and conditions of

employment with West Central Missouri Regional Lodge #50 of the

Fraternal Order of Police.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the purchase of pistol sights for use

by the Sheriff’s Office to GT Distributors, Inc., of Pflugerville, TX, under the

terms and conditions of State of Missouri Contract No. CC250070007, an

existing competitively bid government contract, at an actual cost to the

County in the amount of $40,316.00.

(ADOPTED)

22069

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute a sixty-month

extension to the lease with BRE Space Kansas City, LLC, of Independence,

MO, for records storage space for use by the Recorder of Deeds

Department and the 16th Judicial Circuit Court of Jackson County, at an

initial annual cost to the County in the amount of $280,000.00, as a sole

source purchase.

(ADOPTED)

22070

A RESOLUTION transferring $30,000.00 within the 2025 General Fund and

awarding a ten-month term and supply contract with one twelve-month option

to extend for the furnishing of print and mail services for use by the

Collection Department to Lineage Mailing Services, LLC of Kansas City,

MO, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $170,000.00 under the

terms and conditions of Clay County, Missouri Contract No. 2025-209, an

existing competitively bid government contract.

(ADOPTED)

Ordinance #6016 was moved to the Consent Agenda for perfection.

Ordinances #6018, #6019, #6020, #6025, #6029, #6030, #6032 and

Resolutions #22051, #22053, #22055, #22056, #22057, #22058, #22059,

#22068, #22069 and #22070 were moved to the Consent Agenda for

adoption.

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

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

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

6033

Appropriating $185,600.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2025

Grant Fund, in acceptance of the Family Court Division's Juvenile Court

Diversion Program grant received from the State of Missouri, Division of

Youth Services.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

22074

Awarding a contract for the furnishing of a DRACO gas delivery system for

use by the Sheriff’s Office to J&N Tactical, LLC of South Haven, MN at an

actual cost to the County in the amount of $26,225.00 as a sole source

purchase.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

22075

Awarding a twelve-month contract, with one twelve-month option to extend,

for the furnishing of third-party administrator services for the worker’s

compensation program for use by the Human Resources Department to

Cowell Insurance Services of Overland Park, KS, under the terms and

conditions of Request for Proposals No. 23-069.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

22076

22077

Awarding a sixty-month term and supply contract, for the furnishing of video

product solutions for use by the Sheriff’s Office to Motorola Solutions, Inc. of

Chicago, IL, under the terms and conditions of the Sourcewell Contract No.

101223-MOT, an existing, competitively bid government contract.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

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

adopt Resolution #22077 transferring $1,922,790.00 within the 2025

General Fund to cover costs to be incurred in connection with the Special

Election to be held November 4, 2025. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

22078

Awarding a fourteen-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 $21,838.00, under the terms and

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

government contract.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

22079

22080

Awarding a contract for the purchase of mobile radios for use by the

Sheriff’s Office to Motorola Solutions, Inc., of Chicago, IL, under the terms

and conditions of MARC/KCRPC Contract No. 113, an existing

competitively bid government contract, at an actual cost to the County in the

amount of $92,157.00.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Donna Peyton, to

adopt Resolution #22080 encouraging the County Executive to utilize his

authority under Jackson County Charter to review, and correct if necessary,

commercial real property assessments with value increases in excess of

fifteen percent. The motion carried by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

22081

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

adopt Resolution #22081 recognizing National Health Care Safety and

Security Week 2025 and honoring the service of security and safety

employees at University Health and University Health Lakewood Medical

Center. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

22082

Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract to Blue Cross and Blue

Shield of Kansas City, MO, for the furnishing of employee group health

insurance as an employee benefit for use countywide.

(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)

Following the meeting, the Chairman assigned Resolution #22082 to the

Budget Committee.

22083

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

adopt Resolution #22083 honoring the Life and Legacy of Jess “Chuck”

Barbosa. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Manuel Abarca IV,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

Excused: 1 - Jalen Anderson

(ADOPTED)

22084

Transferring $818,068.00 within the County Improvement Fund and

awarding a contract extension to Strategic Workplace Solutions, Inc. of

Belton, MO at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $535,214.00 and

JCDC Partners at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $282,854.00

for professional services provided in conjunction with the delivery of the New

Jackson County Detention Center.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Manuel Abarca IV introduced Resolution #22084. See above for details.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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

Meeting adjourned until Monday, October 27, 2025 at 3:00 P.M. at the

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

Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.