Minutes - County Legislature

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, June 29, 2026

3:00 PM

Twenty-fourth Regular Meeting

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

Legislative Assembly Area.

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,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie

Lauer

Excused 1 - Megan L. Smith

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 June 25, 2026. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

HEARINGS

Public Hearing regarding Ordinance #6089 enacting subsection 2067.

Jackson County Code, 1984 relating to tax credits and assessment

adjustments.

The following people testified at the public hearing:

Bill Haley

Preston Smith

Tammy Queen

Dennis Rowland

Paul Cunningham

Aaron Mason

Abby Yellman

Mark Dunning

There was also a Q & A after the testimonies.

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

select the video of the County Legislative meeting dated Monday, June 29,

2026.

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

COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE

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

A pet alligator, released into Longview Lake nicknamed "Longview Lou",

was captured by the Missouri Conservation Department, Kansas City

Animal Control and the Jackson County Parks + Rec Department. It is now

safely contained and waiting for its owner to claim and pick it up.

Mr. LeVota has been in discussions with the Courts regarding the aging

Family Court building. One of the possible solutions is to relocate the courts

to the 1300 Washington building, where the Assessment Department is

currently housed. He said the building is underutilized. He encouraged

those he met with to take a tour of the building to determine if it can be

suitable to their needs.

The County Executive reiterated the need to pass Ordinance #6090

regarding the design, creation and installation of a WWII monument in

Oppenstein Brothers Memorial Park.

He asked that everyone be mindful when filing RLAs (Request for

Legislative Action). Many, including himself, have been lax in following the

proper guidelines and deadlines that ensure legislation follows the required

procedures to be successfully added to the weekly agenda. When

processes are not followed, it places an unnecessary burden on the

Counselor's and Legislative Clerk's offices.

Mr. LeVota reiterated the need to pass Ordinance #6092 regarding

spending the remaining ARPA money on infrastructure projects throughout

the County as well as requests from municipalities.

There was discussion with Chairman Abarca and the County Executive

regarding tax credits remaining with the parcel when the owner moves,

timelines for sending out notices of tax credits and the impact of tax credits.

Mr. Abarca said he learned that the Director of the Collections Department

retired on Friday, June 26, 2026. Mr. LeVota said he has replaced the

Director with a leadership team consisting of Whitney Miller, Anthony Mitts,

Leslie Herring and two deputies in the Collections Department.

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

select the video of the County Legislative meeting dated Monday, June 29,

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 - 22nd Perfection)

6077

AN ORDINANCE 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.

(Legislature As A Whole - 13th Perfection)

6089

6090

AN ORDINANCE enacting subsection 2067. Jackson County Code, 1984

relating to tax credits and assessment adjustments.

(Legislature As A Whole - 4th. Perfection)

Transferring and appropriating $25,000.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of the 2026 Park Fund for installation services provided by Frisbie

Monuments of Independence, MO for use by the Parks + Rec Department.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

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

discharge Ordinance #6090 from the World War II Memorial Committee to

the Legislature As A Whole. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 - Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

Manuel Abarca IV asked if this was sent out for bid or a sole source. Phil

LeVota indicated it was a sole source.

Whitney Miller, Chief Deputy County Counselor, said sole source language

was not included in the RLA or ordinance. Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of the

County Legislature, said a sole source memo was not attached to the

Request for Legislative Action (RLA).

6091

6092

AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County,

Missouri, at a general election to be held on November 3, 2026, a question

authorizing Jackson County to impose a countywide sales tax of one half of

one percent for public transportation purposes.

(Regional Transit Committee (Ad Hoc) - 6th. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE appropriating $15,415,000.00 from the undesignated fund

balance of various funds and authorizing the County Executive to execute

Cooperative Agreements to fund infrastructure projects with certain

municipalities within Jackson County in an amount not to exceed

$15,415,000.00.

(County Infrastructure & Strategic Planning Committee (Ad Hoc) - 6th.

Perfection)

6097

6098

AN ORDINANCE establishing the position of Legislative Intern within the

Office of the Jackson County Legislature and setting forth provisions

governing the appointment, supervision, and employment of Legislative

Interns.

(Legislature As A Whole - 5th. Perfection)

A motion was made by Charlie Franklin, seconded by Donna Peyton, to

approve the Finance and Audit Committee Amendment dated June 29,

2026 for Ordinance #6098, to delete the words "full voting" and insert the

words "permanent non-voting" before the word "member"; to delete the

comma and insert a semi-colon after the word "body"; to delete the phrase

"and may designate a qualified representative from the Auditor's Office to

attend meetings and exercise such authority in the Auditor's absence, unless

otherwise prohibited by law;" all in the BE IT ORDAINED paragraph on page

1. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

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

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie

Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

6098

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

perfect Ordinance #6098. The motion passed by voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

6098

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

adopt Ordinance #6098 repealing section 1540.1, of the Jackson County

Code, 1984 and enacting, in lieu thereof, one new section relating to the

same subject requiring that the Legislative County Auditor maintain a

permanent position on the Board responsible for the Administration and

Oversight of County Pension and Retirement Systems with an effective date.

The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

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

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie

Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

6099

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 5.00± acre tract from

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

(Land Use Committee - 3rd. Perfection)

A motion was made by Charlie Franklin, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to

waive the reading of Ordinances #6099 through Ordinance #6102. The

motion passed by a voice vote.

Charlie Franklin, County Legislator, said a public hearing will be scheduled

for these ordinances.

AN ORDINANCE requesting a conditional use permit (CUP) of AG

(Agricultural) zoning district for continuous operation of an agritourism

operation associated with the management of an alpaca farm.

(Land Use Committee - 3rd. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 10.05± acre tract from

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

(Land Use Committee - 3rd. Perfection)

AN ORDINANCE amending the zoning districts established pursuant to the

Unified Development Code by rezoning a certain 25.00± acre tract from

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

(Land Use Committee - 3rd. Perfection)

Appropriating $13,022.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the 2026

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 Legislature As A Whole.)

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

discharge Ordinance #6103 from the Anti-Crime Committee to the

Legislature As A Whole. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 - Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

6103

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

perfect Ordinance #6103. The motion passed by a voice vote.

(PERFECTED)

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

adopt Ordinance #6103 appropriating $13,022.00 from the undesignated

fund balance of the 2026 General Fund in acceptance of the Missouri

Western Interdiction and Narcotics Task Force grant awarded by the

Missouri Department of Public Safety. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

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

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie

Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES

Jeanie Lauer objected to the Consent Agenda.

A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jeanie Lauer to hold

Ordinance #6049. The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 4 - Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith

No: 4 - Manuel Abarca IV, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton and Venessa

Huskey

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

6049

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

adopt Ordinance #6049, establishing a third-party monitoring program for

Jackson County projects and authorizing access for qualified contracted

third parties to conduct site visits.. The motion failed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV

No: 7 -

Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Venessa Huskey,

Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(DEFEATED)

RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE

22281

A RESOLUTION awarding a thirty-month term and supply contract for the

furnishing of automation control products and services for use by the

Jackson County Detention Center to Control Service Company of Lee’s

Summit, Missouri under the terms and conditions of OMNIA Cooperative

Contract #159051, an existing competitively bid government contract.

(Justice & Law Enforcement Committee - 6th. Meeting)

22304

A RESOLUTION establishing the Unincorporated Jackson County Fund and

directing the County Executive and County Administration to develop

policies and procedures for the administration of said fund.

(Legislature As A Whole - 3rd. Meeting)

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

adopt Resolution #22304.

After much discussion, Jalen Anderson and Donna Peyton withdrew their

motion to adopt.

22311

A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract for the

furnishing of personal computers, miscellaneous computer hardware,

software, maintenance and professional services for use by various County

departments to SHI International Corporation, of Somerset, NJ under the

terms and conditions of State of Missouri Contract Number CT220337001,

an existing competitively bid government contract.

(Public Works Committee - 4th. Meeting)

22312

22313

22314

A RESOLUTION authorizing the Interim Director of Finance and Purchasing

to issue a check in the amount of $239,121.00 for the purchase of

equipment for the City of Buckner.

(Public Works Committee - 4th. Meeting)

A RESOLUTION authorizing the Interim Director of Finance and Purchasing

to issue a check in the amount of $50,000.00 to the Mattie Rhodes Center to

fund the creation of a youth employment and community arts pilot program.

(Arts & Culture Committee (Ad Hoc) - 4th. Meeting)

Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

22315

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

one (1) twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of Workday

professional services for use by the Information Technology Department to

Remy Corporation of Denver, CO, under the terms and conditions of State

of Oklahoma contract No. SW1025, as an acquisition from another

governmental entity.

(Budget Committee - 4th. Meeting)

22316

22319

Declaring certain County-owned land as surplus real property and

authorizing the Administration to solicit bids for selling fifteen (15) surplus

parcels.

(WITHDRAWN BY SPONSOR CHARLIE FRANKLIN. CONCURRED BY

DONNA PEYTON AND SEAN E. SMITH.)

Transferring $150,000.00 within the 2026 Anti-Crime Sales Tax Fund to fully

fund the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s 2026 Law Enforcement School

Based Initiative program (LESBI).

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

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

discharge Resolution #22319 from the Anti Crime Committee to the

Legislature As A Whole. The motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 - Manuel Abarca IV, Sean E. Smith, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

22319

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

adopt Resolution #22319, transferring $150,000.00 within the 2026

Anti-Crime Sales Tax Fund to fully fund the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office’s

2026 Law Enforcement School Based Initiative program (LESBI). The

motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

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

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie

Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

22320

Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.

22323

A RESOLUTION directing the County Executive, the Department of Public

Works, and all appropriate County departments and agencies to develop

and implement a comprehensive framework governing the siting,

construction, expansion, and operation of artificial intelligence and

high-capacity data center facilities within Jackson County, Missouri, and

establishing conditions necessary to protect public infrastructure, utility

systems, environmental resources, public safety, and neighboring

communities.

(Public Works Committee - 3rd. Meeting)

CONSENT AGENDA

22314

A RESOLUTION authorizing a thirty-six-month term and supply contract for

the furnishing of Workday timeclock hardware, software, and support

services for use by the 16th Circuit Court and various Jackson County

departments to Accu-Time Systems of Windsor, CT, as a sole source

purchase.

(ADOPTED)

22320

A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for stage, sound, and lighting services

for the 2026 Christmas in the Sky event for use by the Parks + Rec

Department to Sound Check Enterprises of Kansas City, MO, under the

terms and conditions of invitation to Bid No. 26-025 at a cost to the County

not to exceed $25,760.00.

(ADOPTED)

Resolutions #22314 and #22320 were moved to the Consent Agenda for

adoption.

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

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie

Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

6104

Appropriating $1,000,000.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the

2026 Anti-Crime Sales Tax Fund to create the Public Safety Education Cost

Center Fund and authorizing the County Executive to execute a consulting

agreement with TJP Strategies, LLC, of Kansas City, MO, at a cost to the

County not to exceed $1,000,000.00.

(Assigned to the Finance & Audit Committee.)

INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE

22324

Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract for the furnishing of

electronic monitoring services for use by the Jackson County Sheriff’s

Community Supervision Office, to BI Incorporated of Boulder, CO, under the

terms and conditions of OMNIA Partners Contract No. 2022118, an existing

competitively bid government contract.

(Assigned to the Justice & Law Enforcement Committee.)

22325

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

adopt Resolution #22325, of respect in loving memory of Aldon Smith. The

motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

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

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie

Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

22326

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

adopt Resolution #22326, to congratulate Annie McGinnis on her

appointment as President of the National Black Brewers Association. The

motion passed by a roll call vote:

Yes: 8 -

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

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie

Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

22327

Awarding a thirty-six-month term and supply contract, with three (3)

twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of fleet fuel cards for use

by various County Departments, to Openlane Technology Corporation dba

Roadflex of Brooklyn, NY under the terms and conditions of Sourcewell

Contract No. 030625-RDFX, an existing competitively bid government

contract.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

22328

22329

Awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with one (1)

twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of trailer maintenance and

repair services for use by various County departments to Croft Trailer

Supply of Kansas City, MO under the terms and conditions of Invitation to

Bid No. 26-027.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

Awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with two (2)

twelve-month options to extend, for the furnishing of janitorial supplies for

use by various County departments to Hillyard Inc., of Kansas City, MO,

Imperial Bag & Paper Co. LLC dba Imperial Dade of Kansas City, MO, and

RJ Kool Company of Missouri dba Controlled Environment Products, LLC of

North Kansas City, MO under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid

No. 26-022.

(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)

22330

Nominating candidates for appointment to the Jackson County Sports

Complex Authority, for a term to expire July 15, 2031.

(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)

Manuel Abarca IV, Chairman, said Resolution #22330 is nominating

candidates to the Jackson County Sports Complex Authority to fill the

vacancy occasioned by the expiration of the term of Mark Bredemeier who

is a Republican.

He announced the process including the timeline for applications and

resumes:

*Application and resume must be emailed to Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of the

County Legislature, at mspino@jacksongov.org

*Thursday July 2, 2026 - Noon is the deadline for application and resume.

*Monday, July 6, 2026 - Interviews will be conducted by the County

Legislature.

*Monday, July 6th - The County Legislature will vote on the resolution,

inserting three names, for submission to the Governor for his selection.

The application can be found online at

https://www.jacksongov.org/Government/Boards-Commissions/Sports-Com

plex-Authority or https://www.jacksongov.org/clerk

22331

Authorizing the Director of Finance and Purchasing to issue a check in the

amount of $50,000.00 to the National World War I Museum for the

Centennial Gala and Liberty Beacon Tower Lighting Celebration.

(Assigned to the Arts & Culture Committee (Ad Hoc).)

22332

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

adopt Resolution #22332, authorizing the Jackson County Legislature to

hold a closed meeting on Monday, June 29, 2026, for the purpose of

conducting privileged and confidential communications under section

610.021(3) 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,

Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Jeanie

Lauer

Excused: 1 - Megan L. Smith

(ADOPTED)

COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS

26-26

I hereby make the following reappointment to the Merit System Commission:

Meghan Litecky is hereby reappointed to a second term set to expire

6/30/2030. Ms. Litecky’s resume is attached.

UNFINISHED BUSINESS

Manuel Abarca IV asked the County Executive if he had anything to report

regarding his most recent appointment to the EHRCC. Phil LeVota, County

Executive, responded no.

Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of the County Legislature, said Megan L. Smith

requested to be excused today and June 23, 2026. With no objection, it will

be noted in the journals.

NEW BUSINESS

Manuel Abarca IV had his staff distribute copies of Ordinance #6005

adopted August 18, 2025 by the County Legislature regarding the Senior

Tax Credit. Discussion regarding the date on the county's website not

corresponding with the date as stated in the Ordinance. The County

Executive said he will make sure the website is updated to reflect the August

date. He indicated that they are complying with the ordinance.

Closed meeting per Resolution #22332. The County Legislature went into

closed session. The County Legislature reconvened.

ADJOURNMENT