Jackson County Missouri

JOURNAL

Jackson County Courthouse

415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor

Kansas City, Missouri 64106

(816)881-3242

County Legislature

Manuel Abarca IV (1st) Chairman, Sean E. Smith (6th) Vice Chairman,

Jalen Anderson (1st AL), Donna Peyton (2nd AL), Megan L. Smith (3rd AL),

Venessa Huskey (2nd), Charlie Franklin (3rd),

Office of

Mary Jo Spino

Clerk of the County Legislature

DaRon McGee (4th), Jeanie Lauer (5th)

Monday, February 9, 2026

3:00 PM

Third Regular Meeting

Eastern Jackson County Courthouse, 308 W. Kansas, Independence, Missouri, Ground

Floor, Legislative Chambers

Manuel Abarca IV, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.

ROLL CALL

Present 8 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Megan L. Smith, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie

Lauer

Absent 1 - DaRon McGee

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

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

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on February 02, 2026. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

Manuel Abarca IV said the public hearing for Ordinances #6050 and #6061

will be held on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 3 P.M. in the Kansas City

Legislative Assembly Area.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

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

For the Jackson County bicentennial fun fact, he said on February 9, 1920,

Kansas City leaders approved plans to build the Liberty Memorial, now

home to the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Last week he sent an email to Jackson County employees reflecting on what

he has done during his first 100 days in office and his plan for the next 100

days. He appreciates the collaboration of the County Legislature to

accomplish these tasks.

The County Executive said the personal property tax declarations are due.

Postcards were sent out to taxpayers. The State Tax Commission asked

Jackson County not to send out paper declarations as completing the form

online is more effective. If taxpayers prefer a paper form they can contact the

Assessment Department and have one mailed to them. He filmed a live

video that will be available on the County website tomorrow with instructions.

He gave an update on the Collections and Assessment Departments

regarding the new policy of a 15% cap on all commercial property under

$5,000,000.00.

Chairman Abarca asked if the commerical property tax information he just

stated was accessible online and the County Executive stated he will make

a press release and post it on the County website. Mr. Abarca also shared

the praise from a taxpayer on the improvement in the process of tax

payment from the previous year.

To view details, use the link below and select the video for the February 9,

2026 legislative meeting at https://jacksonco.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

6050

6054

6055

AN ORDINANCE prohibiting law enforcement officers from concealing their

faces or badges during performance of their official duties and establishing

penalties and exemptions.

(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Perfection)

The Legislature As A Whole will have a public hearing regarding Ordinance

#6050 on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 3 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative

Assembly Area.

AN ORDINANCE requesting a renewal of a conditional use permit (CUP) in

District AG (Agricultural) for continuous operation of a horse boarding facility

subject to specified conditions, as to a 48.09± acre tract.

(Land Use Committee - 1st. Perfection)

The Land Use Committee will have a public hearing regarding Ordinance

#6054 on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 1 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative

Assembly Area.

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 19.48± acre tract from

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

(Land Use Committee - 1st. Perfection)

The Land Use Committee will have a public hearing regarding Ordinance

#6055 on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 1 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative

Assembly Area.

6056

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 20.00± acre tract from

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

(Land Use Committee - 1st. Perfection)

The Land Use Committee will have a public hearing regarding Ordinance

#6056 on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 1 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative

Assembly Area.

6057

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 70.00± acre tract from

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

(Land Use Committee - 1st. Perfection)

The Land Use Committee will have a public hearing regarding Ordinance

#6057 on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 1 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative

Assembly Area.

6058

6059

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $636,425.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2026 Park Fund for construction services provided by

Hartline Construction of North Kansas City, MO for use by the Parks + Rec

Department.

(Public Works Committee - 1st. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County,

Missouri, at the general election to be held on April 7, 2026, a question to

amend the Jackson County Charter, with an effective date.

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

6060

6061

Justice & Law Enforcement Committee moved to perfect. Consent Agenda.

AN ORDINANCE prohibiting all permit and zoning approvals for non-County

or municipal government owned detention facilities.

(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Perfection)

The Legislature As A Whole will have a public hearing regarding Ordinance

#6061 on Monday, March 2, 2026 at 3 P.M. in the Kansas City Legislative

Assembly Area.

6062

Justice & Law Enforcement Committee moved to perfect. Consent Agenda.

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

6049

Consent Agenda.

Legislator Megan L. Smith objected to the Consent Agenda. There was no

motion to adopt, therefore, Ordinance #6049 remains Perfected.

6052

6053

Consent Agenda.

Discussion.

Legislator Manuel Abarca IV objected to the Consent Agenda. There was

no motion to adopt, therefore, Ordinance #6053 remains Perfected.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

Legislator Sean E. Smith said he supports the amendment to Resolution

#22147.

22147

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

approve the Floor Amendment dated February 9, 2026 for Resolution

#22147, to delete the word "ARPA" and insert the phrase "federal covid

relief funds." in the heading; to insert the first paragrah "WHEREAS, the

Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020,

enacted by the U.S. Congress, provided financial support to local

governments responding to the public health and economic impactsof the

COVID-19 pandemic; and,"; to delete the words "American Rescue Plan

Act" and insert the phrase "expenditure of federal covid relief" before the

word "funds" in the third paragraph, all on page one; to delete the words

"ARPA monies" and insert the phrase "federal covid relief funds" before the

word "received", to delete the word "present" and insert the year "2025."

after the word "to" and to delete the phrase ", amounting to

$136,551,645.00", in the "BE IT RESOLVED" paragraph on page two. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

(ADOPTED)

22147

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

adopt the Floor Amendment dated February 9, 2026 for Resolution #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 federal covid relief funds. The motion passed by a roll call

vote:

Yes: 8 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Megan L. Smith, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie

Lauer

Absent: 1 - DaRon McGee

(ADOPTED)

Resolutions #22152 and #22158 were adopted at this time. See pages 5

and 6 for details.

22149

22150

A RESOLUTION approving the 2026-2027 Jackson County Assessment

and Equalization Maintenance Plan.

(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Meeting )

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

three twenty-four-month options to extend, for the furnishing of information

technology products and services for use by various County departments to

SHI International Corporation, of Somerset, NJ under the terms and

conditions of OMNIA Partners Contract Number 2024056-02, an existing

competitively bid government contract.

(Public Works Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22152

22153

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Donna Peyton, to

adopt Resolution #22152, honoring Dr. Troy Nash and recognizing his

appointment as Director of the Lewis White Real Estate Center. The motion

passed by a voice vote.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute an

Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreement with the City of Independence,

Missouri, for the use of certain County property for a civic event, at no cost to

the County.

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

22154

A RESOLUTION authorizing the Prosecuting Attorney to execute a one-year

agreement with the City of Grain Valley, with one twelve-month option to

extend, to engage in anti-crime, anti-violence, and law enforcement

school-based initiatives and purposes, at a cost to the County not to exceed

$75,000.00.

(Anti-Crime Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22155

22157

A RESOLUTION honoring the Kansas City Public Schools Mentoring

Program in recognition of National Mentoring Month.

(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Meeting )

A RESOLUTION authorizing the Chair of the Jackson County Drug Task

Force to execute a Legal Services Agreement with Williams & Campo,

P.C., of Lee’s Summit, MO, to provide legal services for the Task Force, at

a cost to the County not to exceed $3,500.00.

(Anti-Crime Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22158

22160

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Donna Peyton, to

adopt Resolution #22158, recognizing Raytown Quality Schools during

Mentoring Month. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Counselor to execute a Legal

Services Agreement with certain lawyers and law firms at an aggregate cost

to the County not to exceed $50,000.00.

(Finance & Audit Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22161

22162

22163

Health & Environment Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

Justice & Law Enforcement Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of items for resale by

the Parks + Rec Department to Dunlop Sports of Dallas, TX, as proprietary

purchases.

(Public Works Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22164

22165

Justice & Law Enforcement Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month contract, with three twelve-month

options to extend, for the furnishing of independent auditing services for use

by the Finance and Purchasing Department to Clifton Larsen Allen, LLP, of

Kansas City, MO, under the terms and conditions of Request for Proposals

No. 25-053, at a cost to the County for 2026 not to exceed $150,000.00.

(Finance & Audit Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22167

Awarding a contract for the furnishing of developer services for a mixed

housing program and a 99-year lease to Pate-Campbell Properties, Inc of

Olathe, Kansas, under the terms and conditions of Request for

Qualifications No. 25-045.

(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR DONNA PEYTON. CONCURRED BY SEAN

E. SMITH AND CHARLIE FRANKLIN.)

22169

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

adopt Resolution #22169, appropriating $20,683.00 within the 2026

General Fund and awarding a contract to LCPtracker of Orange, CA, for an

additional single software package for use by the Compliance Review

Office for non-profit partnership grants, at an actual cost to the County in the

amount of $20,683.00, as a sole source purchase. The motion passed by a

roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Megan L. Smith, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie

Lauer

Absent: 1 - DaRon McGee

(ADOPTED)

CONSENT AGENDA

6060

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $264,216.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2025 Grant Fund in acceptance of the 2024 JAG Grant

awarded to the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

(PERFECTED)

6062

AN ORDINANCE waiving the reimbursement of acquisition cost required by

section 1139., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to the transfer of

ownership of the Sheriff’s Office’s K-9 unit dog, Spy, to dog handler and

companion Deputy Jessica Davidson.

(PERFECTED)

6052

AN ORDINANCE 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.

(ADOPTED)

22161

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

three twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of body

transportation services for use by the Medical Examiner’s Office to First

Call, Inc. of Kansas City, MO, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to

Bid No. 24-082.

(ADOPTED)

22162

22164

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for annual software subscription for

use by the Sheriff’s Office and Department of Corrections to Lexipol, LLC, of

Frisco, TX, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of $60,169.00, as a

sole source purchase.

(ADOPTED)

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of software

maintenance for use by the Public Administrator’s Office to SEM

Applications, Inc., of Oregon, MO, at an actual cost to the County in the

amount of $60,000.00, as a sole source purchase.

(ADOPTED)

Ordinances #6060 and #6062 were moved to the Consent Agenda for

perfection. Ordinance #6052 and Resolutions #22161, #22162 and #22164

were moved to the Consent Agenda for adoption.

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

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

Yes: 8 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Megan L. Smith, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie

Lauer

Absent: 1 - DaRon McGee

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

None.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

22170

Awarding a contract for the purchase of a deep core aerifier for use by the

Parks + Rec Department for the Fred Arbanas Golf Course to Redexim

North America, Inc. of Valley Park, MO, under the terms and conditions of

invitation to Bid No. 25-055 at a cost to the County not to exceed

$52,541.00.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

22171

Awarding a contract for the furnishing of two (2) Ford F-600 trucks with

installed snowplow packages for use by the Public Works Department to

Viking-Cives Midwest of Morley, MO, under the terms and conditions set

forth in Sourcewell Contract No. 062222-VCM, an existing, competitively bid

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

$287,050.00

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

22172

22173

Recognizing honorarium payments to community volunteers who assisted in

the evaluation of non-profit grant applications.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

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

adopt Resolution #22173, honoring the retirement of Lorelei L. Smith in her

career at the Jackson County Election Board. The motion passed by a voice

vote.

(ADOPTED)

Legislator Donna Peyton asked to be added as a sponsor to Resolution

#22173.

22174

A motion was made by Donna Peyton, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to

adopt Resolution #22174, authorizing the Jackson County Legislature to

hold a closed meeting on Monday, February 9, 2026, for the purpose of

conducting confidential communications under section 610.021(17) 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: 8 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Megan L. Smith, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie

Lauer

Absent: 1 - DaRon McGee

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Resolution #22173 was adopted at this time. See page 8 for details.

NEW BUSINESS

Since the County Executive declared Monday, February 16, 2026

(Presidents' Day) as a County holiday, Chairman Abarca suggested a

motion to cancel the legislative meeting scheduled for that date.

A motion was made by Donna Peyton, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to

cancel the legislative meeting scheduled to be held on Monday, February

16, 2026. The motion passed by a voice vote.

Chairman Abarca said the Clerk of the County Legislature will be emailing

the Ad Hoc Committee list out soon. The Special and Standing Committee

list was emailed last week and they are effective February 11, 2026.

Legislator Donna Peyton said she is hosting a Nonprofits and Property Tax

Assessments Informational Forum on Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 2

P.M. at Sunlight Missionary Baptist Church located at 4444 Woodland

Avenue, Kansas City, Missouri 64110.

Phil LeVota explained exemptions for non-profit organizations. He said he

will attend the forum on Wednesday.

Chairman Abarca said office furniture for the legislative offices is being

installed. He asked that legislative staff contact Cindy Wallace, Senior

Assistant Auditor or him for office/cubicle assignments. He introduced

Jesse Reyes, Legislative Intern and Jenni Mann, Chief of Staff from his

office. He said Monica Bravo is now the Legislative Aide for Venessa

Huskey.

He also said he has asked the County Counselors office to contact

legislators weekly so they are aware of legislation that they are sponsoring.

The County Legislature recessed to go into closed session per Resolution

#22174.

The County Legislature reconvened.

ADJOURNMENT

A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Donna Peyton, to

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

Meeting adjourned until Monday, February 23, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. at the

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

Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.