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. Marshall (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

Thursday, May 15, 2025

10:00 AM

Sixteenth 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, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Marshall,

Manuel Abarca IV, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E.

Smith

Excused 1 - Venessa Huskey

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

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

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on May 14, 2025. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

Beverly Newman, Court Administrator for the 16th Judicial Circuit, was

present to explain the impact on the courts of having no budget. She

introduced Judge Jennifer Phillips with Family Court, Judge Dale Youngs,

Chairman of the Budget and Audit Committee for the Courts and Zachary

Smith, Counsel for the Court. She said Kevin Harrell, Presiding Judge is in

Jefferson City, Missouri attending a meeting.

Ms. Newman said the court budget is controlled by Section 50.640 RSMo.

She said the budget was submitted consistent with the requirement of State

statute and the Jackson County Charter. She noted that there is an

interdependence not only in the county but other service providers as well. It

has been and will be the court's practice to manage their resources very

conservatively. The courts are constantly and consistently assessing the

efficiency and effectiveness of how they use their appropriated funds. The

Court has continued to operate under the 2024 budget as directed.

She wanted to talk about the new decision items that have been impacted

by the delay. The 2025 critical and necessary items presented in the budget

are delayed and relate to critical safety concerns. There is an issue with the

entry point for judicial officers and staff at the Eastern Jackson County

Courthouse. The budget request included two full time employees to add to

the civil process department. As a result of losing an employee last year and

after a risk assessment was completed, the court has been advised they

need to have two employees present at each eviction and other high risk

circumstances. Regarding civil process vehicles, there is concern when they

are in high risk circumstances because currently employees use their own

vehicles.

Donna Peyton, County Legislator, interrupted to ask if security issues should

only be discussed in closed session. Bryan Covinsky, County Counselor,

said if specific security issues are discussed it would require a closed

session. Ms. Peyton disagreed because risks and how to alleviate risks

were being discussed but she yielded to the County Counselor's advice.

Beverly Newman said if there are any questions regarding how the court

would implement any safety issues discussed today, a closed session would

be necessary.

She said Family Court has an entry point and sally port issue. She is

managing increased specific threats on a regular basis which are critical

and need to be addressed as soon as possible. The threats are against

judicial officers and staff.

Another critical item is transitioning the office of Guardian ad Litem to the

Court Appointed Special Advocate Program. This transition is part of the

2025 budget. Other critical items not included in the 2024 budget include

cyber security, family court services and program expansions including

meeting medical needs of youth in the custody of the court, the ongoing

deferred maintenance challenges that exist in our buildings from HVAC to

plumbing issues and updates/upgrades of equipment. As we all know the

purchasing process is lengthy, so it will be a challenge to get the items in the

2025 budget through the process. Contracts are expired for such services

as having law enforcement available for visitation exchanges and

supervision that occurs in the Family Court Resource Center. With regards

to merit increases, she has met with staff to discuss updated court policies

and during discussions, staff have shared their concerns about layoffs and

programming decisions due to funding issues. Ms. Newman said they are

very appreciative of the commitment to resolve the dispute and address the

critical concerns and needs of the court.

Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, asked if the court's purchases need to be

presented to the County Legislature for approval. Beverly Newman said

yes.

Mr. Smith said the County Legislature adopted the 2025 budget, the County

Executive vetoed it but he has not presented a new appropriation ordinance

to the County Legislature. He asked what guidance the courts have been

using to determine whether or not they can spend funds. Ms. Newman said

guidance has been received through verbal communication with County

finance officers.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, asked about the County's

responsibility to maintain the downtown courthouse or any county buildings.

Beverly Newman said it is the County's burden to maintain the facilities.

Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, said there was discussion yesterday

regarding consequences for spending based on the 2024 budget but using

it for items listed in the 2025 budget. Ms. Newman said they want to

cooperate with the County Executive and County Legislature as they work

through the issues. She said the courts are having internal discussions

regarding what to do regarding these critical issues and how to move

forward but no decisions have been made.

Sean E. Smith encouraged Ms. Newman to listen to the recording of the

legislative meeting held yesterday. He said there is a level of arbitrariness in

the guidance that departments have been given, and there are no clear

consequences if staff spend appropriations or act contrary to the guidance.

He is surprised that the guidance is only verbal, he thought it would be

written, clear and consistent. Some departments are being more severely

limited on spending than other departments especially when it relates to

safety. By contrast, he said the County Executive has hosted lunches for

several staff and public events for park volunteers with steak dinners, which

is shocking.

Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, said the Administration has never provided

any guidance to the Prosecuting Attorney's office that limited their ability to

do their work and have never told them they can or cannot do something. If

they have questions. The Administration has referred them to the County

Counselor's office. The Administration has also not told the Courts they

cannot spend anything that the County Executive's office is spending.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, said the County Executive's office has

the authority to rectify a lot of these issues and is choosing instead to allow

certain departments to do celebrations. The County Executive has not

proactively tried to solve these issues. The County Legislature is still waiting

for a budget book and budget amendment from the County Executive. He

said the County Executive is still not in the room and is too cowardly to enter

the legislative chambers but instead watches the meeting from his office.

Charlie Franklin, County Legislator, said he believes everyone is working as

fast as they can with a few limitations. He does not think tomorrow is

possible but they hope to have a budget ordinance soon.

Sean E. Smith asked if the County Legislature will receive a budget book

consistent with the ordinance that has accurate actuals from prior years. Mr.

Franklin said it is possible but more likely that we will have the original

budget book with amendments.

DaRon McGee thanked Ms. Newman for participating in the legislative

meeting.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

None.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

None.

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

None.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

None.

CONSENT AGENDA

None.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

Chairman McGee said the County Legislature is awaiting a budget

ordinance from the County Executive.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

None.

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

None.