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, April 13, 2026

3:00 PM

Eleventh Regular Meeting

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

Chambers

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

ROLL CALL

Present 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent 2 - Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer

THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE

Recited.

APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING

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

approve the journal of the previous meeting held on April 09, 2026. The

motion passed by roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer

HEARINGS

None.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

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

The Ladies Laugh Comedy at the Funny Bone on April 15th at 7:00 PM will

feature performances by County staff.

Legislator Sean E. Smith asked for an update on the timeline for the

Assessment and Collection departments to issue corrected tax bills to

taxpayers. The County Executive said he estimated the corrections will be

done by the beginning of May but will report again closer to that date. Next

week he will report on the number of taxpayers who still have issues pending

before the Board of Equalization (BOE) for both real and commercial

properties as well as those who have overpaid and still need refunds.

Legislator Sean E. Smith asked about the County Executive's Office making

it a priority to report to the Legislature on financial matters according to

Jackson County Code, Chapter 5, section 555 - Bank Account Balances,

Report and section 556 - Bank Account Reconciliation. The County

Executive said it is a priority for his office and he has met with the Budget

Chair and he will provide the information the Legislature requests.

Chairman Manuel Abarca IV commented on the credit card reconcilation

that the Legislative Auditor's Office is currently processing. He said he will

prioritize the hiring of additional staff to eliminate the heavy work load

experienced by the staff responsible for this task. He also discussed the

moratorium on the sale of homes for delinquent tax payers in the yearly tax

auction. This was due to the issues regarding the tax assessments since

2019. The County Executive stated he will review the moratorium and come

back to the Legislature with a list of the properties that will be included in the

tax sale.

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

select the video of the County Legislative meeting dated April 13, 2026.

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

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.

(Legislature As A Whole - 9th Perfection)

6059

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

approve the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee Amendment dated

February 9, 2026 for Ordinance #6059, submitting to the qualified voters of

Jackson County, Missouri, at the general election to be held on August 4,

2026, a question to amend the Jackson County Charter, with an effective

date. The motion passed by a voice vote.

6059

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

perfect the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee Amendment dated

February 9, 2026 for Ordinance #6059, submitting to the qualified voters of

Jackson County, Missouri, at the general election to be held on August 4,

2026, a question to amend the Jackson County Charter, with an effective

date.. The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 3 - Sean E. Smith, Megan L. Smith and Venessa Huskey

No: 4 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Donna Peyton, Charlie Franklin and DaRon

McGee

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer

(FAILED)

Public Works Committee moved to perfect. Consent Agenda.

AN ORDINANCE implementing a 120-day moratorium on the processing of

data center land use applications and Battery Energy Storage System land

use applications by Jackson County for the purpose of developing a

long-term policy and accompanying County Code provisions related to such

applications, including the direction of regulatory standards and enhanced

public notification requirements.

(Health & Environment Committee - 1st. Perfection)

6075

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 126± acre tract from

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

(Land Use Committee - 1st. Perfection)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

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)

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

22207

A RESOLUTION transferring $42,857.00 within the 2026 General Fund and

awarding a contract for the purchase of communication equipment for use

by the Sheriff’s Office to MRA International, Inc., of Long Branch, NJ under

the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 25-057, at an actual cost to

the County in the amount of $42,857.00.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 3rd. Meeting)

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

the reading of Resolutions #22211, #22212, #22213 and #22225 because

the committee did not meet. The motion passed by a voice vote.

22211

A RESOLUTION 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 $109,568.00.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

22212

22213

A RESOLUTION declaring certain vehicles assigned to the Jackson County

Sheriff’s Office as surplus property and authorizing their transfer to the

Jackson County Department of Civil Process.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

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 $152,400.00.

(Health & Environment Committee - 2nd. Meeting)

22225

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the purchase of fifteen (15) new

2026 Dodge Durango vehicles for use by the Jackson County Sheriff’s

Office to Corwin Motors of Springfield, LLC, of Springfield, MO, under the

terms and conditions of State of Missouri Contract No. MC250182004, an

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

County in the amount of $645,420.00.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22226

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

discharge to the Legislature As A Whole Resolution #22226, awarding an

eight-month term and supply contract for the furnishing of technology

hardware, software, and professional services for use by various County

departments to Logicalis, Inc. of Troy, MI, under the terms and conditions set

forth in 1GPA National Purchasing Cooperative Contract No. 22-02PV-12, a

competitively bid government contract. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(APPROVED)

22226

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

adopt Resolution #22226 awarding an eight-month term and supply contract

for the furnishing of technology hardware, software, and professional

services for use by various County departments to Logicalis, Inc. of Troy, MI,

under the terms and conditions set forth in 1GPA National Purchasing

Cooperative Contract No. 22-02PV-12, a competitively bid government

contract. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

22227

22228

Public Works Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

A RESOLUTION awarding a seven month term and supply contract, with two

(2) twelve month options to extend, for the furnishing of law enforcement

public safety gear for use by various County departments to G.T.

Distributors, Inc., of Pflugerville, TX under the terms and conditions of State

of Missouri Contract No. CC250070 (007), an existing competitively bid

government contract.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 1st. Meeting )

22229

22231

Public Works Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

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

adopt Resolution #22231, authorizing the County Counselor to execute a

Legal Services Agreement with the Dysart Taylor Law Firm of Kansas City,

MO, for employment investigation in an amount not to exceed $75,000.00,

as a sole source purchase. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 6 -

Sean E. Smith, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith, Venessa Huskey,

Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Abstain: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

CONSENT AGENDA

6071

AN ORDINANCE transferring and appropriating $4,164,475.00 from the

undesignated fund balance of the 2026 Park Enterprise Fund and awarding

a contract for the replacement of the irrigation system at the Fred Arbanas

Golf Course and the Frank White, Jr. Sports Complex to Verde Sports

Construction, LLC., of Langley, WA, under the terms and conditions of

Invitation to Bid 25-047, at a cost to the County not to exceed

$4,164,475.00.

(PERFECTED)

6072

AN ORDINANCE transferring $233,100.00 within the 2026 Grant Fund and

appropriating $233,100.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2026

Grant Fund in acceptance of a supplemental grant and authorizing the

Director of Parks + Rec to execute an agreement received from the

Missouri Department of Natural Resources, Division of State Parks Land

and Water Conservation Fund Program for use by the Parks + Rec

Department.

(PERFECTED)

6073

AN ORDINANCE repealing sections 5055., 5056., and 5057., of the

Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to watercraft horsepower, and

enacting, in lieu thereof, four new sections relating to the same subject.

(PERFECTED)

22227

22229

A RESOLUTION declaring certain County-owned vehicles as surplus

property and authorizing their disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of Jackson

County Code, 1984.

(ADOPTED)

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

two (2) twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of steam HVAC

parts for use by the Facilities Management Division of the Public Works

Department to Control Products, Inc., of Fenton, MO, as a sole source

purchase.

(ADOPTED)

Ordinances #6071, #6072 and #6073 were moved to the Consent Agenda

for perfection. Resolutions #22227 and #22229 were moved to the Consent

Agenda for adoption.

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

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

Yes: 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

6076

Transferring and appropriating $27,260.00 from the undesignated balance

of the 2026 Park Fund and authorizing the County Executive to execute a

contract with She Digs It, LLC of Blue Springs, MO to cover construction and

installation of a drinking fountain at Fleming Park at a cost to the County not

to exceed $27,260.00.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

6077

6078

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.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

Transferring and appropriating $378,162.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2026 Park Fund and authorizing the County Executive to

execute a contract with Tarkett Sports Construction-Central, LLC, of Lee’s

Summit, MO to cover construction and planning of pickleball courts at

Fleming Park at a cost to the County not to exceed $378,162.00.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

22232

Awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with one

twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of rental vehicle services for

use by various County Departments to Enterprise Mobility dba Enterprise

Leasing of Kansas of Lee’s Summit, MO, under the terms and conditions of

Request for Proposals No. 25-052.

(Assigned to the Finance & Audit Committee.)

22233

Authorizing the Jackson County Finance and Purchasing Department to

draft and present an ACH (Automated Clearing House) payment policy so

that ACH payments, or otherwise commercially advantageous electronic

transactions, may be paid and accepted on behalf of the county.

(Assigned to the Finance & Audit Committee.)

22234

Awarding a contract for the purchase of a Bobcat S64 Skid Steer, a UW 56

Toolcat, a Swing Arm Brush Cutter with seven pin wiring harness, a 72”

Landplane, two (2) 80” Vibratory Rollers with Smoother Drums, a Snow

Blade and an 80” Combination Bucket with Port Relief for use by the Parks

+ Rec Department to K.C. Bobcat dba Berry Companies, Inc. of Blue

Springs, MO under the terms and conditions of Sourcewell Contract No.

020223-CEC, an existing, competitively bid government contract, at an

actual cost to the County in the amount of $175,899.00.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

22235

Authorizing the Prosecuting Attorney to execute an agreement with the

Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners for anti-drug and anti-crime

law enforcement activities and programs at a cost to the County not to

exceed $3,657,651.00.

(Assigned to the Justice & Law Enforcement Committee.)

22236

22237

Declaring certain County-owned vehicles as surplus property and

authorizing their disposal pursuant to Chapter 11 of Jackson County Code,

1984.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

Awarding a contract for the replacement of HVAC systems at two radio

communication tower sites for use by the Sheriff’s Office to Motorola

Solutions, Inc., of Chicago, IL, under the terms and conditions of State of

Missouri Contract No. MT250038001, an existing competitively bid

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

$76,002.00.

(Assigned to the Justice & Law Enforcement Committee.)

22238

Transferring $2,212,330.00 within the 2026 Anti-Crime Sales Tax Fund and

authorizing the Prosecuting Attorney to execute agreements with certain

outside agencies which are engaged in anti-crime, anti-violence, drug

prevention and treatment activities, and law enforcement school-based

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

$12,431,341.00.

(WITHDRAWN BY VENESSA HUSKEY. CONCURRED BY SEAN E.

SMITH AND DaRON McGEE)

22239

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

adopt Resolution #22239 honoring the legacy of Ruth Delores Hill. The

motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

22240

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

adopt Resolution #22240 for the honorable Stowers Institute.

The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

22241

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

adopt Resolution #22241 recognizing Count Basie Orchestra and their

accomplishments. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 7 -

Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Smith,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee

Absent: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

Legislator Huskey asked to be added as a sponsor to Resolution #22241.

22242

Recognition of twenty years of unwavering dedicated service to the Housing

Authority of Kansas City, where Gerald Douglas has served as Resident

Service Director, helping support families and strengthening the community.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

26-15

ESTABLISHING A SMOKE-FREE CAMPUS POLICY

By the authority vested in me as County Executive of Jackson County,

Missouri, and in the interest of promoting a healthy, safe, and clean

environment for employees, sworn and civilian staff, contracted personnel,

visitors, legal representatives, and detainees, it is hereby ordered:

Section 1. Purposes

The purpose of this Executive Order is to protect the health and well-being of

all employees, sworn and civilian staff, contracted personnel, visitors, legal

representatives, and detainees by eliminating exposure to secondhand

smoke and promoting a culture of wellness.

Section 2. Policy

Effective April 9, 2026, all property owned, leased, or operated by the

Jackson County Detention Center shall be designated as a smoke-free

campus.

Section 3. Definitions

For the purposes of this Order, “smoking” includes the use of any tobacco

product or smoking device, including but not limited to cigarettes, electronic

cigarettes, and vaping devices.

Section 4. Prohibited Areas

Smoking shall be prohibited in all indoor and outdoor areas of the detention

center property, including but not limited to:

Buildings and facilities

Entrances, exits, and loading docks

Parking lots and garages

Sidewalks and common areas

Vehicles owned and leased by Jackson County, Missouri

Section 5. Compliance and Enforcement

All employees, sworn and civilian staff, contracted personnel, visitors, legal

representatives, and detainees share responsibility for adhering to this

policy. Appropriate offices shall develop procedures for education,

communication, and enforcement. Violations may be addressed through

existing disciplinary policies.

Section 6. Signage and Communication

Clear signage shall be posted throughout the detention center to inform

individuals of the smoke-free policy.

This Executive Order shall take effect on April 8, 2026.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

None.

NEW BUSINESS

Legislator Sean E. Smith stated he had concerns regarding a response

letter from the Legislature on letterhead sent to school district taxing entities

dealing with property tax credits as ruled by the State Tax Commission

(STC). He felt the County Legislature should know and have prior

engagement/collaboration when information is sent out on behalf of the full

body.

Chairman Manuel Abarca IV said he will make sure that all legislators get

the information that was distributed.

ADJOURNMENT

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

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

Meeting adjourned until Monday, April 20, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. at the Jackson

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

Legislative Assembly Area.