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  
Monday, January 30, 2023  
10:00 AM  
Fourth 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 Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer  
and Sean Smith  
2
3
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Recited.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING  
A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Megan L. Marshall to  
approve the journal of the previous meeting held on January 24, 2023. The  
motion passed by a voice vote.  
A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Manuel Abarca  
IV to recess the meeting until 12:00 p.m. The motion passed by a roll call  
vote:  
Yes: 7 – DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel  
Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, and Jeanie Lauer.  
Absent: 1 – Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 1 – Jalen Anderson  
The meeting went into recess.  
A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Manuel Abarca  
IV to reconvene. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
4
HEARINGS  
None.  
5
6
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE  
None.  
PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan Marshall, to  
approve the Floor Amendment dated January 30, 2023 for Ordinance  
#5701, to delete the figure "3,250,000" and insert the figure "5,250,000"  
under "Health Fund - 002 - County Administration", to delete the "Total"  
figure "30,006,301" and insert the figure "32,006,301" under "Health Fund -  
002" all on page one; to delete the figure "24,270,668" and insert the figure  
"0" under "American Rescue Plan Fund - 050 - County Public Health", to  
delete the figure "50,450,000" and insert the figure "0" under American  
Rescue Plan Fund - 050 - Facilities Management", to delete the "Total"  
figure "74,720,668" and insert the figure "0" under "American Rescue Plan  
Fund - 050"; to delete the "Total Appropriations" figure "482,133,268" and  
insert the figure "409,412,600" all on page 3; to add the phrase "as  
modified by this document attached here to as "Exhibit A" and labeled  
"2023 Budget Adjustments." after the word "herein," in the final paragraph  
on page 4. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
(APPROVED)  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan Marshall, to  
perfect the Floor Amendment dated January 30, 2023 for Ordinance #5701.  
The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 5 -  
DaRon McGee, Megan Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV  
and Venessa Huskey  
No: 3 - Jalen Anderson, Jeanie Lauer and Sean Smith  
Abstain: 1 - Charlie Franklin  
(PERFECTED)  
Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator, presented information regarding the  
Proposed Floor Amendment for Ordinance #5701. A copy of Mr. Abarca’s  
presentation is available under the Meeting Details for Ordinance #5701,  
ID=5945124&GUID=CF564DBE-BB26-4697-8DC0-F0B9855D301E&Opt  
ions=ID|Text|Other|&Search=5701  
Jeanie Lauer, County Legislator, said the Charter says the County budget  
needs to be approved by January 31, 2023. Anything adopted today must  
go to the County Executive to be approved. He will have ten days to veto  
what the Legislature adopts. The Legislature may then vote to override any  
veto. Ms. Lauer asked if the salary increases for legislative staff will trigger  
the “me too” clause in union contracts. Manuel Abarca IV said his email  
discussions with the Administration did not provide too much information  
regarding the plans for many of the allocations in the proposed budget. He  
wishes they were present to negotiate in good faith. He discussed the “me  
too” issue with Patrick “Duke” Dujakovich from the AFL-CIO. He said  
because the legislative staff are non-merit positions this would not trigger  
the “me too” clause. Bryan Covinsky, County Counselor, said the  
Carpenter’s Union and Local 42 both have “me too” clauses is their union  
contracts. He will continue to look further into the union issue.  
Jeanie Lauer asked about the funds removed from the County Executive’s  
budget. Manuel Abarca IV said these are unused salary savings from the  
2022 end of year budget lines. The administration had lobbying funds  
designated for a federal lobbyist that were reallocated to the Legislature’s  
budget. Mr. Abarca said the Administration could propose these funds in  
the future in a budget amendment. The Budget Committee looked at the  
actuals spent in 2022 and reallocated these monies to other budget lines.  
Ms. Lauer asked for an explanation regarding the County Counselor’s  
budget. Mr. Abarca said the Budget Committee looked at unspent actuals  
from 2022. The committee welcomes requests for these funds as needed.  
Ms. Lauer asked about the outside agency funding. Mr. Abarca said the  
agencies designated in the proposed amendment were funded previously.  
There is no requirement that the agencies go through a funding process  
every year.  
Ms. Lauer asked about the American Rescue Plan Fund account. Mr.  
Abarca said the funds are being placed in an undesignated fund balance  
because they have not yet received transparent and accountable  
information on the plans for the ARPA funds. This will buy the Legislature  
more time to discern how the funds will be spent.  
DaRon McGee, County Legislator, said there is a lot of information. The  
members of the Legislature have not been given the information they  
have requested from the Administration.  
Charlie Franklin, County Legislator, said he is reminded of the Serenity  
Prayer which states, “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I  
cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know  
the difference.” He said a few people have decided on what is going to  
happen and he will be abstaining.  
Donna Peyton, County Legislator, said she takes her responsibility  
seriously. She will vote the way she thinks is best for the County.  
Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, said he is concerned about the  
process. He prefers to look at the budget with a long-range, broad  
perspective to ensure the County remains in solid financial footing. Mr.  
Abarca said he agrees, but he has requested additional information and  
has not received a response.  
Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, said the Chief of Staff for the County  
Executive is present. Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, asked what information  
was requested. Mr. Abarca said they received a two paragraph response  
that did not provide specific information. The response was insufficient.  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan Marshall, to  
adopt the Floor Amendment dated January 30, 2023 for Ordinance #5701,  
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. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 5 -  
DaRon McGee, Megan Marshall, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV  
and Venessa Huskey  
No: 3 - Jalen Anderson, Jeanie Lauer and Sean Smith  
Abstain: 1 - Charlie Franklin  
(ADOPTED)  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan L. Marshall  
to perfect Ordinance #5702. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
(PERFECTED)  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Megan Marshall, to  
adopt Ordinance #5702 setting the 2023 Jackson County, Missouri tentative  
tax levy. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 9 -  
DaRon McGee, Megan Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer  
and Sean Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
7
8
FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES  
None.  
RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE  
None.  
9
CONSENT AGENDA  
None.  
10  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
Enacting section 5575., Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to a ban on  
conversion therapy for minors, with a penalty provision.  
(Assigned to the Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion.)  
Repealing schedule I to chapter 2, Jackson County Code, 1984, relating to  
County associates not within the Merit System, and enacting, in lieu thereof,  
one new schedule relating to the same subject.  
(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)  
11  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
Authorizing the County Counselor to execute Addendums to existing Legal  
Services Agreements with certain lawyers and law firms at an aggregate  
cost to the County not to exceed $114,200.00, for services to be performed  
in 2023.  
(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)  
Awarding twelve-month term and supply contracts with one twelve-month  
option to extend for the furnishing of office furniture for use by various County  
departments to Office Product Alliance of Kansas City, MO, and Scott Rice  
Office Works of Lenexa, KS, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to  
Bid No. 109-22.  
(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)  
Awarding an eleven-month term and supply contract for the furnishing of  
building maintenance, repair, and operations supplies, parts, equipment,  
and materials for use by various County departments to W.W. Grainger of  
Lake Forest, IL, under the terms and conditions of City of Tucson, AZ  
Contract No. 192163-01, an existing government contract.  
(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)  
Expressing the opposition of the Legislature to a proposed landfill in the  
southeastern portion of the City of Kansas City, Missouri, near the city limits  
of the City of Lee’s Summit, Missouri.  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract with one twelve-month  
option to extend for the furnishing of HVAC parts for use by various County  
departments to Charles D. Jones Company of North Kansas City, Missouri,  
under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 100-22.  
(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)  
A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Donna Peyton, to  
adopt Resolution #21150, congratulating Wanda Graham on the occasion of  
her retirement after twenty years of service at the Jackson County Detention  
Center. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 9 -  
DaRon McGee, Megan Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer  
and Sean Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
A motion was made by Venessa Huskey, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to  
adopt Resolution #21151, congratulating June and William Swope on the  
occasion of their seventieth wedding anniversary. The motion passed by a  
roll call vote:  
Yes: 9 -  
DaRon McGee, Megan Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer  
and Sean Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
12  
13  
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS  
None.  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
None.  
14  
NEW BUSINESS  
Manuel Abarca IV said a resolution will be prepared for introduction next  
week to congratulate the Kansas City Chiefs on winning the AFC  
Championship game and securing a spot in the Super Bowl.  
15  
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.  
Meeting adjourned until Tuesday, February 7, 2023 at 4:00 P.M. at the  
Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri,  
2nd Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.