Jackson County Courthouse  
415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor  
Kansas City, Missouri 64106  
(816)881-3242  
Jackson County Missouri  
JOURNAL  
County Legislature  
DaRon McGee (4th) Chairman,  
Megan L. Marshall (3rd AL) Vice Chairman,  
Office of  
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, December 18, 2023  
10:00 AM  
Forty-ninth Regular Meeting  
K.C. Legislative Assembly Area, Kansas City, Missouri  
DaRon McGee, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.  
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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  
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THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Recited.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Venessa Huskey to  
approve the journal of the previous meeting held on December 11, 2023.  
The motion passed by a voice vote.  
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HEARINGS  
None.  
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE  
Frank White, Jr., County Executive, said he has received many calls and  
emails regarding the American Rescue Plan Act funds, and he believes  
he needs to address these issues regarding how this process was  
handled. He said he believes one legislator directed people to call him.  
These ARPA funds are federal funds which are handled differently than  
outside agency funds. There is a procurement process that was not  
followed. The general thinking is that the County doesn’t step up for the  
community, but it was the County that stepped up in 2020 during COVID.  
We funded over $150 million into the community over the last three  
years. The County funded school districts, first responders, food  
programs, both Kansas City and Jackson County Health Departments,  
and cities when the Governor decided he wasn’t going to fund the cities.  
The County has stepped up. The County put thousands of dollars into the  
community through the annual golf tournament. We also fund our safety  
net hospitals. Mr. White said he wants to apologize for the legislator  
putting people through this and thinking they are going to get ARPA  
funds. This legislator knew this process was inappropriate and unlawful.  
Mr. White said he put out a letter regarding the process to clarify the  
misinformation that has been distributed. He said this goes back to the  
town halls regarding the assessment process. No one asked legislators if  
any of the proposed actions were legal. The Administration followed the  
law, the County Charter, and the County Code. When those aren’t  
followed our residents suffer. Everyone does things for political gain, but  
Mr. White said he does not think lying to the public should be one of  
them. Constituents have to be told the truth. When legislators are out  
speaking to the public, they need to ask, is it legal and can we do it? The  
County cannot go forward if we do things that are illegal. When we  
deviate from that we do our constituents a disservice. He said he is sorry  
to those agencies that applied for ARPA funds. Coming into their  
positions in January, it was made clear to the new legislators that ARPA  
funds were earmarked for fixing the courthouse that is not ADA compliant  
and for remodeling the Administration Building that was purchased to give  
associates and taxpayers a better experience. The County is willing to do  
the things to make the County safe for the community.  
Manual Abarca IV, County Legislator, handed out some documents with a  
timeline. He said this chart starts in January with the timeline of ARPA  
with several discussions, some of which Mr. White’s staff were involved  
in. These documents show the priorities which Caleb Clifford, Chief of  
Staff, reviewed with Mr. Abarca as well as other documents sent by Mr.  
Clifford. These documents outline the process for allocating ARPA funds.  
The illegality component can be met in these documents. Mr. Abarca said  
he believes Mr. White is referring to the procurement process. He said  
given that point, he believes Mr. White illegally funded the Our Healthy  
Jackson County program and Harvesters for $1 million. Mr. Abarca said  
he doesn’t understand these contentions.  
Mr. White said CARES funds could be given away more easily. They had  
to have health related purposes. The ARPA funds are a lot more  
complicated and more paperwork. Mr. Abarca said the federal  
government released a process that eased the ability to spend ARPA  
funds. Mr. White said the County process was not followed. Mr. Abarca  
asked about the vetting process for University of Missouri - Kansas City  
for the Our Healthy Jackson County. He doesn’t understand how this  
current process is different. Caleb Clifford said the Our Healthy Jackson  
County was authorized under exceptions to the procurement process as  
outlined in the Code including being a sole source provider as a safety  
net hospital. Mr. Clifford said the County Charter allows Mr. Abarca to  
request a County Counselor opinion as to the legality of the process  
used. Additionally, there is no set cap in the County’s procurement  
process for different purposes.  
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PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE  
DaRon McGee, County Legislator, said there are two budget  
amendments for consideration by the Legislature. Manuel Abarca IV  
addressed his Amendment I dated December 11, 2023. He said  
Amendment I eliminates funding to the County Executive’s Office over  
and above previous year’s adjusted amounts. It also removes vacant  
positions in the Assessment Department. It reduces funding for the  
Assessment and Collections Departments. It removed monies from the  
Road and Bridge Fund to be used by the Sheriff’s Office for vehicles. It  
specifically allocates ARPA funds.  
Jeanie Lauer, County Legislator, said Amendment II makes an  
adjustment from the Auditor and Compliance area to reflect the current  
salaries. The Independence courthouse has an amount of $250,000 to  
upgrade that location, but the remaining balance needed is only  
$70,000.00. There is $70,000.00 included for the Housing Resource  
Commission. It eliminates funding for bus passes and the Charter Review  
commission. It moves Sheriff’s funding to the General Fund from the  
Road and Bridge Fund. This amendment also provides $250,000.00 in  
the Assessment fund to provide for a citizen advocacy group.There are  
concerns placing BOE under the Assessment Fund. This group could  
address many complaints to assist citizens in the BOE process.  
Whitney Miller, Deputy County Counselor, said a legal opinion was  
submitted last week detailing the County Counselor’s concerns with  
Amendment I.  
Manuel Abarca IV said he wants to understand how this budget  
amendment II was created. He asked who Ms. Lauer consulted, if not the  
Budget Committee. Ms. Lauer said she worked with Sean E. Smith,  
County Legislator, and Administration staff. She said the budget is a  
collaborative effort. To address concerns expressed by the County  
Counselor’s Office, it removes the allocation for the ARPA Funds.  
Donna Peyton, County Legislator, said if this had been collaborative effort  
and had been discussed with the Budget Committee, many of these  
issues could have been addressed in a joint budget amendment.  
Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, said collaborative is not a word that  
has been used in the last twelve months with this body.  
Charlie Franklin, County Legislator, said charities are something  
everyone favors. If he votes against budget Amendment I, it is not  
because he is not in favor of supporting Englewood Arts or other charity  
organizations. He said it is unfortunate we are in this position. He would  
like to find level ground.  
Jeanie Lauer said this does not mean the ARPA funds are gone. It just  
means these funds need to be encumbered in 2024. It only means the  
funds are not a part of this process. She said there will be another  
process for agencies to submit applications in 2024.  
Manuel Abarca IV said there were several public hearings that certain  
legislators did not participate in and who are now saying there is no  
collaboration. He said ARPA monies are emergency relief funds, for  
emergencies caused by the pandemic not for remodeling buildings.  
Donna Peyton asked Jeanie Lauer about the 2024 timeline for the  
encumbrance of ARPA funds. Jeanie Lauer said ARPA funds need to be  
spent by December 31, 2024. She said she would like to begin the  
process in January 2024 but there is no timeline.  
5815  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Donna Peyton, to  
approve Corrected Floor Amendment I dated December 11, 2023 for  
Ordinance #5815, 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, 2024. The motion failed by a roll  
call vote:  
Yes: 4 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV and Venessa  
Huskey  
No: 5 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie  
Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
5815  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to  
approve Floor Amendment II dated December 18, 2023 for Ordinance  
#5815, to delete the figure "10,524,479" in the "Recommended" column  
and insert the figure "10,568,943" in the "Amended" column for "County  
Administration", to delete the figure "31,289,338" in the "Recommended"  
column and insert the figure "31,263,338" in the "Amended" column for  
"County Operations", to delete the figure "55,532,091" in the  
"Recommended" column and insert the figure "56,253,013" in the  
"Amended" column for "County Public Safety", to delete the "Total" figure  
"177,181, 939" in the "Recommended" column and insert the figure  
"177,921,325" in the "Amended" column all across from the  
"Appropriations" column titled "General Fund - 001" on page one; to  
insert "Marijuana Sales Tax Fund - 009, County Administration, County  
Operations, County Public Health, County Public Safety, Courts, Facilities  
Management, Internal Services, Parks + Rec, all in the "Appropriations"  
column after "General Fund" on page one; to delete the figure  
"11,621,814" in the "Recommended" column and insert the figure  
"12,481,407" in the "Amended" column for "County Operations", to delete  
the figure "859,593" in the "Recommended" column and insert the sign "-"  
in the "Amended" column for "County Public Safety" all across from the  
"Appropriations" column titled "Special Road and Bridge Fund - 004" on  
page two; to delete the figure "166,000" in the "Recommended" column  
and insert the figure "416,000" in the "Amended" column for "County  
Administration", to delete the figure "12,224,526" in the "Recommended"  
column and insert the figure "11,974,526" in the "Amended" column for  
"County Operations" all across from the "Appropriations" column titled  
"Assessment Fund - 045" all on page three; to delete the "Total  
Appropriations" figure "681,783,833" in the "Recommended" column and  
insert the figure "682,523,219" in the "Amended" column and to insert the  
phrase "as modified by the document attached hereto and labeled "2024  
Budget Adjustments." all on page four. The motion passed by a roll call  
vote:  
Yes: 5 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie  
Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
No: 3 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton and Venessa Huskey  
Abstain: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV  
5815  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Jeanie Lauer to  
perfect Ordinance #5815, 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, 2024. The  
motion passed by a voice vote.  
(PERFECTED)  
A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to  
adopt Ordinance #5815 (Amendment II).  
Manuel Abarca IV objected.  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to  
hold Ordinance 5815 (Amendment II). The motion passed by a roll call  
vote:  
Yes: 5 - Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie  
Lauer, Sean E. Smith  
No: 4 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa  
Huskey  
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FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES  
None.  
RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE  
None.  
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CONSENT AGENDA  
None.  
10  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
5822  
Submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County, Missouri, at a  
special election to be held on April 2, 2024, a question authorizing  
Jackson County to impose a countywide sales tax of three-eighths of one  
percent for a period of forty years for the purpose of retaining the Kansas  
City Royals and Kansas City Chiefs sports teams in Jackson County,  
Missouri  
(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Jeanie Lauer, to  
perfect Ordinance #5822.  
DaRon McGee relinquished the Chair. Megan L. Marshall, Vice  
Chairman assumed the Chair.  
A motion was made by DaRon McGee, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV,  
to hold Ordinance #5822. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 - DaRon McGee, Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa  
Huskey, Charlie Franklin, and Sean E. Smith  
No: 3 - Jalen Anderson, Megan L. Marshall, and Jeanie Lauer  
DaRon McGee resumed the Chair.  
5823  
5824  
Repealing sections 9103. and 9104., Jackson County Code, 1984,  
relating to the Board of Equalization, and enacting, in lieu thereof, two  
new sections relating to the same subject, with an effective date.  
(Assigned to the Legislature As A Whole.)  
Appropriating $22,000,000.00 from the undesignated fund balance of the  
General Fund and authorizing the construction of a new Health Sciences  
building for use by University Health.  
(Assigned to the Budget Committee.)  
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INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
21505  
A motion was made by Jeanie Lauer, seconded by Donna Peyton, to  
adopt Resolution #21505, authorizing the Jackson County Legislature to  
hold a closed meeting on Monday, December 18, 2023, for the purpose  
of conducting confidential communications under section 610.021(17) 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: 7 - DaRon McGee, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna  
Peyton, Charlie Franklin, Jeanie Lauer and Sean E. Smith  
No: 2 - Manuel Abarca IV and Venessa Huskey  
(ADOPTED)  
21506  
Awarding a thirty-six-month term and supply contract for the furnishing of  
on-line legal publications and legal research services for use by various  
County departments to Thomson Reuters/West Publishing Corporation of  
Eagan, MN, as a sole source purchase.  
(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)  
12  
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS  
23-20  
I hereby appoint Mari Ruck as Director of Collections, to fill the vacancy  
occasioned by the resignation of Whitney S. Miller.  
Ms. Ruck’s resume is attached.  
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UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
None.  
NEW BUSINESS  
Closed meeting per Resolution #21505. The County Legislature recessed  
for a closed meeting. The County Legislature reconvened.  
After the closed meeting, Manuel Abarca IV introduced Ordinance #5824,  
see page 6 for details.  
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 Friday, December 29, 2023 at 10:00 A.M. at the  
Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri,  
2nd Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.