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,  
Office of  
Megan L. Marshall (3rd AL) Vice Chairman,  
Mary Jo Spino  
Jalen Anderson (1st AL), Donna Peyton (2nd AL),  
Manuel Abarca IV (1st), Venessa Huskey (2nd), Charlie Franklin (3rd),  
Jeanie Lauer (5th), Sean E. Smith (6th)  
Clerk of the County Legislature  
Tuesday, January 17, 2023  
10:00 AM  
Second Regular Meeting  
K.C. Legislative Assembly Area, Kansas City, Missouri  
DaRon McGee, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.  
1
ROLL CALL  
Present 9 -  
DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer  
and Sean E. Smith  
2
3
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Recited.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING  
A motion was made by Charlie Franklin, seconded by Sean E. Smith to  
approve the journal of the previous meeting held on January 09, 2023. The  
motion passed by a voice vote.  
4
5
6
HEARINGS  
None.  
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE  
Sylvya Stevenson, Chief Administrative Officer, said there were none.  
PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE  
5701  
AN ORDINANCE to adopt the annual budget and set forth appropriations for  
the various spending agencies and the principal subdivisions thereof, for the  
fiscal year ending December 31, 2023.  
(County Legislature - 4th. Perfection)  
5702  
AN ORDINANCE setting the 2023 Jackson County, Missouri tentative tax  
levy.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 4th. Perfection)  
5708  
5709  
Budget Committee moved to perfect. Consent Agenda.  
AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County,  
Missouri, at a special election to be held on April 4, 2023, a question  
authorizing Jackson County to impose a countywide sales tax of three  
percent on all tangible personal property retail sales of adult use,  
non-medicinal marijuana.  
(Budget Committee - 1st. Perfection)  
7
8
FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES  
None.  
RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE  
21138  
21139  
21140  
Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.  
Public Works Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.  
A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute a Program  
Agreement with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services for  
a tracking program for statistical reporting of opioid and violent deaths, for a  
fee payable to the County.  
(Health and Environment Committee - 1st. Meeting)  
Land Use Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.  
Budget Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.  
21141  
21142  
9
CONSENT AGENDA  
5708  
AN ORDINANCE amending subsections 1503.2 and 1503.3, Jackson  
County Code, 1984, relating to the Employees’ Pension Plan.  
(PERFECTED)  
21138  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract with one  
twelve-month option to extend for the furnishing of pipe and plumbing  
supplies for use by various County departments to Reeves-Wiedeman  
Company of Kansas City, MO, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to  
Bid No. 105-22.  
(ADOPTED)  
21139  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract with one  
twelve-month option to extend for the furnishing of calcium chloride pellets  
and rock salt for use by various County departments to Nu-Life Labs, Inc., of  
Kansas City, MO, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No.  
106-22.  
(ADOPTED)  
21141  
21142  
A RESOLUTION authorizing the County Executive to execute Amendment  
No. 1 to the Memorandum of Understanding with the Missouri Department of  
Conservation relating to the maintenance of certain areas within the  
County’s park system, at no cost to the County.  
(ADOPTED)  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract with one  
twelve-month option to extend for the furnishing of information technology  
project management services in support of the Workday implementation  
project for use by various County departments and the 16th Judicial Circuit  
Court, to Remy Corporation of Denver, CO, under the terms and conditions  
of State of Oklahoma Contract No. SW1025, an existing, competitively-bid  
government contract.  
(ADOPTED)  
Ordinance #5708 was moved to the Consent Agenda for perfection.  
Resolutions #21138, #21139, #21141 and #21142 were moved to the  
Consent Agenda for adoption.  
A motion was made by Charlie Franklin, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to  
approve the Consent Agenda. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 9 -  
Charlie Franklin, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton, Megan L.  
Marshall, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee,  
Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
10  
11  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
None.  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
21143  
Authorizing the County Executive to execute a permanent utility easement in  
favor of the Kansas City, Missouri Water Department across a portion of the  
Rock Island Corridor, for a fee payable to the County.  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
21144  
A motion was made by Megan Marshall, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to  
approve the Floor Substitute dated January 17, 2023 for Resolution #21144.  
The motion passed by a voice vote.  
Yes: 6 -  
Charlie Franklin, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Marshall, Manuel Abarca  
IV, Venessa Huskey and DaRon McGee  
No: 3 - Jalen Anderson, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
(APPROVED)  
21144  
A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV,  
to adopt Resolution #21144, appointing Q. Troy Thomas as Legislative  
Auditor for a term to expire December 31, 2024. The motion passed by a  
roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 -  
Charlie Franklin, Donna Peyton, Megan L. Marshall, Manuel Abarca  
IV, Venessa Huskey and DaRon McGee  
No: 3 - Jalen Anderson, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
21144  
A RESOLUTION appointing Q. Troy Thomas as Legislative Auditor for a  
term to expire December 31, 2024.  
Jeanie Lauer, County Legislator, inquired as to why the term of this interim  
appointment was changed from six months to two years. Jay Haden, Chief  
Deputy County Counselor, said concerns were raised about whether a  
temporary appointment might violate the terms of the Charter since this  
position has a four-year term. After discussing with Bryan Covinsky,  
County Counselor, it was determined that anything less than the unexpired  
term may be in violation of the Charter.  
Jeanie Lauer inquired of the sponsors if this is a contract position. DaRon  
McGee, County Legislator, said this is not a contract position. It is an  
appointment to an interim position to fill a vacancy. Ms. Lauer asked about  
the process to fill this vacancy. Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, said  
given the budget circumstances they were looking for someone with  
experience within the County. Ms. Lauer asked what efforts were made to  
look at current personnel who have dealt with the current budget. Mr.  
Abarca said Troy Thomas was selected because of his experience. Ms.  
Lauer asked what consideration was given to current County employees  
who have experience with the current budget. Mr. McGee said there was no  
process with the current personnel. He said there were concerns with  
people who have experience with parts of the job, but not the whole piece.  
There were also concerns about someone having the ability to step into  
the job day one. Ms. Lauer asked who the discussions were with to reach  
this decision. Mr. McGee said he discussed the matter with the Budget  
Chair and the Finance and Audit Chair as well as staff. Megan L. Marshall,  
County Legislator, said moving existing staff into the interim position  
would still create a vacancy. Given the time factors involved, they needed  
someone in the position quickly. Ms. Marshall said she believed each  
legislator was contacted individually. Ms. Lauer said she is concerned  
there was no formal process. She was not contacted.  
Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, said he was notified there would be a  
vote. He had information on the qualifications of the candidate and the  
immediacy of need. He believed there would be time to decide and that  
formal processes would be followed. He is concerned that staff should feel  
they have upwardly mobile opportunities. He is concerned there is only  
one candidate presented without other considerations. Ms. Lauer said she  
was concerned because she does not know the candidate and has had no  
opportunity to discuss the position with the candidate. She is also  
concerned that Mr. Abarca and Ms. Marshall are both on the Budget  
Committee and the Chairman is a member of all committees so that  
discussion among them could be a Sunshine issue. Ms. Marshall asked  
about Ms. Lauer’s concerns. Ms. Lauer said she is concerned with  
Sunshine issues. Mr. McGee said, to be clear, there were one on one  
meetings. He allowed Mr. Abarca and Ms. Marshall to take the lead on the  
issue as its sponsors. He will note Ms. Lauer’s concerns.  
Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, asked Mr. Abarca if it is his position  
that they need an Auditor in this position to continue on with Budget  
Hearings. Mr. Abarca said that was the recommendation of Crissy  
Wooderson, the former Legislative Auditor. Mr. Anderson said, Troy  
Thomas has not been employed by the County since 2017. Mr. Thomas  
has not been in a position to understand the current budget and bonding  
issues currently facing the Legislature. Mr. Abarca said he also has not  
been in a position to be involved with the County’s budget and financial  
issues, but everyone comes with the experience that they have and the  
willingness to solve these challenges. He believes Mr. Thomas brings  
these qualities. Mr. Anderson said there are members of the Auditor’s staff  
that have been present and dealt with all the budgets for the past five  
years. Additionally, there were three people involved in making this  
decision, but there are nine members of the Legislature. Usually, the  
Legislature would have a closed session with the applicant and have the  
opportunity to question the applicant in a process. DaRon McGee said  
Troy Thomas has served four County Executives. He has been the  
Director of Finance and Purchasing and the Chief Financial Officer  
appointed by the current County Executive.  
Ms. Lauer asked if the position is at will or if there might be a severance  
paid if there were an end to the employment. Jay Haden said there have  
been contracts in the past with some County positions. The Charter states  
the Auditor will serve subject to being removed by six legislators.  
12  
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS  
23-02  
I hereby make the following appointments and reappointments to the  
Jackson County Board of Services for the Developmentally Disabled -  
EITAS:  
Susan Borgmeyer, is reappointed for a term to expire December 31, 2024.  
Edward Van Haele, is reappointed for a term to expire December 31, 2024.  
Tedi Rowland, is reappointed for a term to expire December 31, 2025.  
Benjamin Kisner, is appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the  
expiration of Angela Segovia’s term, for a new term to expire December 31,  
2024. A copy of Mr. Kisner’s resume is attached.  
Libia Kozisek, is appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the expiration  
of John R. Humphrey’s term, for a new term to expire December 31, 2025. A  
copy of Ms. Kozisek’s resume is attached.  
Stuart Alan May, is appointed to fill the vacancy occasioned by the  
expiration of Denise Talbert’s term, for a new term to expire December 31,  
2025. A copy of Mr. May’s resume is attached.  
23-03  
23-04  
Pursuant to section 9057, Jackson County Code I hereby appoint Legislator  
Jalen Anderson to the Housing Resources Commission for a term to expire  
December 31, 2026.  
I hereby appoint Bryan O. Covinsky, as County Counselor for a term to  
expire on December 31, 2026.  
13  
14  
15  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
None.  
NEW BUSINESS  
None.  
ADJOURNMENT  
A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV,  
to adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
The next legislative meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday, January  
23, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th  
Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 2nd Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.