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  
Wednesday, December 31, 2025  
10:00 AM  
Special Meeting  
Eastern Jackson County Courthouse, 308 W. Kansas, Independence, Missouri, Ground  
Floor, Legislative Chambers  
DaRon McGee, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.  
1
ROLL CALL  
Present 9 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer  
and Sean E. Smith  
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3
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Recited.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING  
A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to  
approve the journal of the previous meeting held on December 15, 2025.  
The motion passed by a voice vote.  
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5
HEARINGS  
None.  
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE  
Phil LeVota, County Executive was present and gave the following report:  
He congratulated Legislator Sean E. Smith on his engagement.  
He congratulated Legislator Megan L. Smith and her husband on being  
expectant parents.  
He made a statement regarding the history of the American Rescue Plan  
Act (ARPA) funds.  
There was an additional statement made by Legislator Manuel Abarca IV.  
He handed a letter to the County Executive and County Administrator  
regarding demolition costs for Arrowhead Stadium. See meeting details for  
a copy of the letter at https://jacksonco.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?  
ID=1371170&GUID=C7F8E951-F966-4A4B-94AE-5ADF0FA49ACD&Opt  
ions=info|&Search=  
To view details, use the link below and select the video for the December  
31, 2025 legislative meeting at  
https://jacksonco.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx  
6
PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE  
None.  
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FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES  
None.  
RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE  
22141  
Expressing the intent of the Legislature to authorize the County Executive to  
execute Cooperative Agreements with certain outside agencies that provide  
public services to citizens of Jackson County, at an aggregate cost to the  
County not to exceed $15,000,000.00.  
(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR SEAN E. SMITH. CONCURRED BY  
MANUEL ABARCA IV AND DONNA PEYTON.)  
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CONSENT AGENDA  
None.  
10  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
6051  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
perfect Ordinance #6051. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
(PERFECTED)  
Stephen Arbo, County Administrator, explained that the ARPA funds were  
placed in a designated account so distributions could be made as needed.  
Discussion.  
6051  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adopt Ordinance #6051 appropriating from the undesignated fund balance  
of the 2025 ARPA Fund $17,300,000.00 for certain eligible expenses. The  
motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 8 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Smith,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie  
Lauer  
No: 1 - Sean E. Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
11  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
22143  
Authorizing the County Executive to execute Cooperative Agreements with  
certain outside agencies that provide public services to citizens of Jackson  
County, at an aggregate cost to the County not to exceed $35,000,000.00.  
(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR DARON MCGEE. CONCURRED BY SEAN  
E. SMITH AND MANUEL ABARCA IV.)  
22144  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to  
approve the Floor Amendment dated December 31, 2025 for Resolution  
#22144, to delete the figure "1,400,000" and insert the figure "1,300,000"  
for Urban League of Greater Kansas City, to delete the figure "1,300,000"  
and insert the figure "1,100,000" for Metropolitan Organization Countering  
Sexual Assault (MOCSA), to delete the figure "1,300,000" and insert the  
figure "1,100,000" for Reconciliation Services, to delete the figure  
"215,000" and insert the figure "300,000" for Hope House, to delete the  
figure "210,000" and insert the figure "300,000" for Synergy Services, Inc.,  
to delete the figure "200,000" and insert the figure "300,000" for Newhouse,  
to delete the figure "100,000" and insert the figure "300,000" for Rose  
Brooks Center, to delete the figure "100,000" and "125,000" for Lee's  
Summit CARES. The motion failed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 1 - Jalen Anderson  
No: 4 -  
Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Charlie Franklin and Sean E.  
Smith  
Abstain: 4 -  
DaRon McGee, Megan L. Smith, Venessa Huskey and Jeanie  
Lauer  
(FAILED)  
Phil LeVota, County Executive, explained that he suggested the Floor  
Amendment to Resolution #22144. DaRon McGee, Chairman, said he had  
no knowledge of the amendment and did not agree to sponsor it.  
Discussion.  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV to call for the question. The  
motion failed for lack of a second.  
Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, explained the changes made to  
Resolution #22144 from Sunday to Tuesday. He asked who directed the  
reductions and increases.  
Discussion.  
22144  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adopt Resolution #22144, authorizing the County Executive to execute  
Cooperative Agreements with certain outside agencies that provide public  
services to citizens of Jackson County, at an aggregate cost to the County  
not to exceed $32,590,000.00. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa  
Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie Lauer  
No: 1 - Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 2 - Jalen Anderson and Megan L. Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
Manuel Abarca IV asked to be added as a sponsor to Resolution #22144.  
Donna Peyton assumed the Chair.  
22145  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adopt Resolution #22145 authorizing the County Executive to execute  
Cooperative Agreements with certain outside agencies that provide public  
services to citizens of Jackson County, at an aggregate cost to the County  
not to exceed $2,060,000.00. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Donna Peyton, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa  
Huskey, Charlie Franklin and Jeanie Lauer  
No: 1 - Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 2 - DaRon McGee and Megan L. Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
DaRon McGee resumed the Chair.  
Resolutions #22141 and #22143 were withdrawn at this time. See pages 2  
and 3 for details.  
22146  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Charlie Franklin, to  
adopt Resolution #22146 authorizing the County Executive to execute a  
Cooperative Agreement with a certain outside agency that provides public  
services to citizens of Jackson County, at an aggregate cost to the County  
not to exceed $350,000.00. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 5 -  
Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie  
Franklin and Jeanie Lauer  
No: 1 - Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 3 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton and Megan L. Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
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COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS  
None.  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
None.  
14  
NEW BUSINESS  
Manuel Abarca IV said he would like to review agencies that were ineligible  
due to expired insurance certificates. He also thinks they should consider  
looking at housing as infrastructure. There is an opportunity to make amends  
while also prioritizing public support for housing investments in our  
communities.  
Megan L. Smith, County Legislator, said she requested information from the  
Budget Chairman regarding agencies who were missing paperwork but did  
not receive a response. She said the information would have been helpful for  
her decision making process.  
DaRon McGee responded that he will consult with the Compliance office to  
make sure Megan Smith's questions are answered.  
15  
ADJOURNMENT  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
Meeting adjourned until Monday, January 12, 2026 at 3:00 P.M. at the  
Eastern Jackson County Courthouse, 308 W. Kansas, Independence,  
Missouri, Ground Floor, Legislative Chambers.