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

Monday, January 27, 2025

3:00 PM

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 9 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Marshall,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Sean E.

Smith and Jeanie Lauer

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 January 15, 2025. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

None.

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

Frank White Jr., County Executive, was not present.

Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, congratulated Legislators McGee and Peyton

on their election as Chair and Vice Chair for the Legislature. He was happy

to announce Sylvya Stevenson, Chief Administrative Officer, has a new baby

girl named Savannah. Mother and child are doing well. Since Ms.

Stevenson will be absent from the office for several more weeks, he asked

for patience with work matters that would include her.

Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, asked about the absence of the

County Executive. Caleb Clifford stated he does not keep the calendar for

the County Executive. Mr. Abarca also inquired about the Compliance

Contract with Collette White for the Detention Center Project that the

Administration was drafting. Mr. Abarca said he believes the contract

expires in 2025. Caleb Clifford was unsure of the contract or status of it but

would get more information and get back to Legislator Abarca by the end of

the week. Mr. Abarca next asked about the process for $7 - $8 million of

expired ARPA contracts. Caleb Clifford stated he was not aware of any

expired ARPA contracts but will get an answer and share that information by

the end of the week, as well.

Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, remarked on the Jackson County Health

Department’s placement of NARCAN stations in limited areas of the County.

He would like to know how the placements are working and the possibility of

expansion to other parts of the County. Mr. Anderson requested a report

from the Jackson County Health Director at a future legislative meeting. He

would also like to get an update on the rise of tuberculosis in the state of

Kansas. Caleb Clifford stated he would work with the Chair of the

Legislature for available dates to schedule a presentation from the Health

Department. Mr. Clifford also mentioned that the NARCAN program was

being expanded into Grandview.

Donna Peyton, County Legislator, mentioned receiving an email regarding

the Senior Property Tax Extension through June 30, 2025 sent out by the

County Executive’s Office. She asked if the Administration had anything

more to share regarding this subject. Caleb Clifford stated their office was

seeking feedback and input about the language of the information that will

be shared with the public so there would be more clarity and better

understanding of the program. The information sent out is currently being

reviewed by the County Counselor’s Office, and the Collections Department.

Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, also asked if people can apply now. Mr.

Clifford said yes. He added the Administration would like to include the

program details with a deadline in the Jackson County Code.

Resolution #21841, #21847 and #21848 were adopted at this time. See

pages 4-5 for details.

PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE

5904

AN ORDINANCE repealing Section 5577., Jackson County Code, 1984,

relating to possession of firearms and age restriction, and to enact in lieu

thereof two new sections, Sections 5577. and 5578., relating to the same

subject, with a severability clause and a penalty provision.

(Legislature As A Whole - 10th Perfection)

5909

5957

AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County,

Missouri, at the primary election to be held on August 5, 2025, a question to

amend the Jackson County Charter, with an effective date.

(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE repealing subsection 5560.3., Jackson County Code,

1984, relating to recklessly failing to care for or control child, and enacting, in

lieu thereof, one new subsection relating to the same subject.

(Justice and Law Enforcement Committee - 1st. Perfection)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

None.

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

21641

A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive or the Chairman of the

Legislature to sell the County-owned property located at 1300 Washington

Street, Kansas City, MO 64105 via the competitive bidding process.

(Legislature As A Whole - 29th Perfection)

21766

A RESOLUTION transferring $49,500.00 within the 2024 General Fund and

authorizing a contract to cover the cost of consultation and proposal services

to Colette Holt & Associates Law Firm of San Antonio, TX, at a cost to the

County not to exceed $49,500.00.

(Legislature As A Whole - 16th Perfection)

CONSENT AGENDA

None.

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

5958

Requiring the Jackson County Assessor to provide an Assessment Roll that

complies with the Missouri State Tax Commission’s Order and rolls back

the 2023 value of any parcel that exceeded a 15% increase in 2023 to be

changed and to be valued at no more than 15% more than the 2022 property

value.

(Assigned to the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee.)

5959

Appropriating $71,751.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2025

General Fund in acceptance of the Missouri Western Interdiction and

Narcotics Task Force grant awarded by the Missouri Department of Public

Safety.

(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

21841

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

adopt Resolution #21841, honoring the life and legacy of Everett Carter, a

dedicated public servant who tragically lost his life while serving the

community he loved. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Marshall,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Sean E.

Smith and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

21843

21844

Requiring the Jackson County property cards provided by the Assessment

Department to include photographs of the property inspection and related

property comparable sales that were used to determine the Fair Market

Value (FMV) and property classification.

(Assigned to the Inter-Governmental Affairs Committee.)

Awarding a contract for the furnishing of DNA profiling services as required

by the Unidentified Remains and Forensic Equipment Replacement Project

grant, for use by the Medical Examiner’s Office to Othram, Inc., of Houston,

TX, at an actual cost to the County not to exceed $739,830.00, as a sole

source purchase.

(Assigned to the Health and Environment Committee.)

21845

21846

21847

Awarding a seven-month contract for restorative justice program services for

use by the Jackson County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office to the Center for

Conflict Resolution of Kansas City, Missouri at an actual cost to the County

in the amount of $30,000.00, as a sole source purchase.

(Assigned to the Anti-Crime Committee.)

Authorizing a twelve-month extension to the term and supply contract for the

furnishing of automotive parts for use countywide to AutoZone of Memphis,

TN, under the terms and conditions of OMNIA Partners Contract No.

R211201, an existing competitively-bid government contract.

(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)

A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Donna Peyton, to adopt

Resolution #21847, recognizing Christopher Jones for the power of

transformation in the culture of health care through MatchRite Care. The

motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Marshall,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Sean E.

Smith and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

21848

A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to

adopt Resolution #21848, congratulating the Kansas City Chiefs on winning

the American Football Conference Championship and securing a spot in

Super Bowl LIX. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 9 -

DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Marshall,

Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Sean E.

Smith and Jeanie Lauer

(ADOPTED)

Discussion regarding Resolution #21849.

21849

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

adopt Resolution #21849, requesting the Missouri State Auditor to conduct

an expedited review of the actions taken by Jackson County’s Department

of Finance and Purchasing, Budget Office uploading the 2024 adopted

budget for 2025 and not the duly adopted budget by the Legislature on

December 31, 2024.. The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 4 -

DaRon McGee, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey and Sean E.

Smith

No: 5 -

Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Marshall, Charlie Franklin

and Jeanie Lauer

(DEFEATED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

Sean E. Smith made an observation that there were vacancies on the

Community Mental Health Fund Commission that were not aligned with

expiring or vacated appointments. He further stated, in his experience

working with Boards and Commissions, this perceived level of turnover can

signal a problem with the entity and he asked for clarity of his observation.

Caleb Clifford stated he is unaware of any problems with this Commission.

He said there were carryover terms they were trying to align with the existing

terms. He agreed to look into it and provide Legislator Smith with more

information.

25-01

I hereby make the following appointments and reappointment to the

Community Mental Health Fund:

Christopher Beal is appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the

resignation of Suzie (Schuckman) Post, to complete a term set to expire

September 30, 2025.

Brook Nasseri is appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation

of Jacquelyn Moore, to complete a term set to expire September 30, 2025.

Eve McGee is appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of

Andrea Rodriguez, for a new term set to expire September 30, 2027.

David Lisbon, MD is appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the

resignation of Dacia L. Moore LPC., for a term set to expire September 30,

2027.

Sandra Jiles is reappointed, with a term set to expire September 30, 2027.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Budget Veto Message from the County Executive received January 9, 2025.

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

amend the agenda under item 13 UNFINISHED BUSINESS by striking the

acknowledgement of the veto message. No vote was taken.

Discussion regarding Missouri State Statute, Jackson County Code and

Jackson County Charter governing the budget and outlining line-item veto

authority.

Discussion regarding the County Executive's authority to veto line items and

not the entire budget as stated in Article II: Section 12 of the Constitutional

Home Rule Charter for Jackson County, Missouri. In addition, the 2024

Budget was uploaded on the County system to be used in its entirety instead

of only loading those line items for operations and maintenance including

utilities, salaries, and rent. It is inappropriate to allow spending from all

areas of a budget that was not lawfully executed. Sean E. Smith asked for

additional time to get a ruling from an independent body, such as the State

Auditor’s Office. Mr. Smith introduced and distributed legislation (Resolution

#21849) addressing the issue.

Jeanie Lauer, County Legislator, asked for a legal opinion regarding this

issue. Bryan Covinsky, County Counselor, stated his office believes and is

certain the County Executive is within his authority stated in RSMo 50.620

Appropriations (first and second class counties), and the Jackson

County Code to veto the budget Ordinance. The County Executive has 10

days to veto any Ordinance and the Legislature has the next meeting to take

up the issue of an override of that veto if they deem it necessary. Any other

additional time would not be appropriate. He suggested if the Legislature

wanted an independent body to weigh in, they should request a Court ruling.

The County Legislature recessed.

The County Legislature reconvened.

Troy Thomas, Legislative Auditor, was asked to weigh in on the matter. Mr.

Thomas cited Jackson County Code 530.1 Time Appropriations Must be

Enacted and RSMo 50.610 Commission may revise budget-adoption

and appropriation order. He disagreed with Mr. Covinsky’s use of RSMo

50.620 as a basis for his opinion, as it ignores the fact that the Legislature

passed a budget on December 31, 2024.

Megan L. Marshall, County Legislator, asked why the inquiry was made at

this date when the Legislature received the veto notice from the County

Executive on January 9th and there was time to review and address the

issues put forth today. Further she stated the Legislature should be careful

of setting a precedent. She also asked how long would it take for the 3rd

party to review the information and provide an opinion. Sean E. Smith said

possibly by the end of the week.

Charlie Franklin, County Legislator, asked if the Legislature could request

an opinion from someone other than the State Auditor.

Discussion.

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

override the veto. No vote was taken.

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

table the motion to override. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 6 - Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie

Franklin, Sean E. Smith and DaRon McGee.

No: 3 - Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Marshall and Jeanie Lauer

Discussion.

NEW BUSINESS

Resolution #21849 was introduced and defeated at this time. See page 5

for details.