Jackson County Missouri  
JOURNAL  
Jackson County Courthouse  
415 E.12th Street, 2nd floor  
Kansas City, Missouri 64106  
(816)881-3242  
County Legislature  
Jeanie Lauer (5th) 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), DaRon McGee (4th),  
Sean E. Smith (6th)  
Clerk of the County Legislature  
Monday, July 29, 2024  
3:00 PM  
Twenty-eighth Regular Meeting  
K.C. Legislative Assembly Area, Kansas City, Missouri  
Jeanie Lauer, Chairman, called the meeting of the Jackson County Legislature to order.  
1
ROLL CALL  
Present 9 -  
Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon  
McGee and Sean E. Smith  
2
3
THE PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE  
Recited.  
APPROVAL OF THE JOURNAL OF THE PREVIOUS MEETING  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Donna Peyton to  
approve the journal of the previous meeting held on July 22, 2024. The  
motion passed by a voice vote.  
4
HEARINGS  
Cheryl Colter, Deputy Director of Finance, introduced Jonathan Nibarger,  
Senior Vice President and Brian Holst, Vice President, from Allen, Gibbs &  
Houlik regarding the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report. A copy  
of the 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (CAFR) is available  
under the meeting details for the July 29, 2024, Legislative meeting, located  
here: <https://jacksonco.legistar.com/MeetingDetail.aspx?  
ID=1217805&GUID=ED2FB6D9-2924-42D2-BB4F-59A5500882A1&Opti  
ons>  
Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, asked about the estimates of civil  
liabilities and outstanding lawsuits. Mr. Holst said the civil liability items are  
in the financial statements. They typically only list the major liabilities,  
although small suits may add up. The four listed are the ones the auditors  
believed will have the biggest impact on the County’s financial statements.  
Mr. Smith asked if the Legislature would receive a list of outstanding civil  
litigation lawsuits.  
Bryan Covinsky, County Counselor, said the estimated civil liability matters  
were sent to the auditors as part of the audit process. They will meet with the  
Legislature to review those matters at a later date.  
Manual Abarca IV, County Legislator, asked about the undesignated fund  
balance and if there is a general accounting principle for how much should  
be maintained in that account. Mr. Holst said it is a management decision.  
There are no accounting standards that determine that amount. Mr. Abarca  
asked if there is an amount that is considered to be too much of  
undesignated funds. Troy Schulte, County Administrator, said the standard  
recommendation for the undesignated fund balance is a minimum of 25%.  
Mr. Abarca asked about the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and if  
the risk of losing these funds will create an issue with a clean audit. Mr. Holst  
said the audit process reviews the accuracy of the financial systems in place  
for the previous year. The auditors are not in a position to direct an entity to  
encumber funds. Mr. Abarca asked for the remaining amount of ARPA  
funds. Mr. Holst said about $80 million. Mr. Abarca said that number has  
changed at least four times since he was elected. He wondered if the risk of  
losing these funds should be listed as a risk in the audit.  
Jeanie Lauer, County Legislator, asked to what degree are the ARPA funds  
considered in the audit. Mr. Nibarger said the auditors test all material balances  
as part of the audit. An additional piece on the ARPA funds is a separate audit.  
That process is still in place and performed by the sub-contractor. The single  
audit piece is still in progress.  
5
COMMUNICATIONS WITH AND REPORTS OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE  
Frank White, Jr, County Executive, was present. He had no report.  
Manuel Abarca IV asked about Mr. White’s priorities for the ARPA funds.  
Mr. White said he will make an announcement next week regarding his  
priorities.  
Mr. Abarca asked about the measures put in place regarding tax  
assessments. Mr. White said they have better technology and better staff.  
The assessment process is dictated by state law. The Administration will  
make sure values are mailed out on time and he encourages taxpayers to  
take advantage of the process that is put in place. This is a state mandated  
process. Mr. White said he will have the County Assessor give an update on  
the department’s processes for the upcoming reassessment for 2025. The  
priority is to get notices out on time.  
Manuel Abarca IV asked about work to repair the front steps of the  
Downtown Kansas City Courthouse and opening the front entrance. Mr.  
White said the Legislature voted down a proposal to repair the steps months  
ago. The entrance is not ADA compliant. He is concerned that some  
members of the Legislature do not take ADA compliance seriously. Mr.  
White said this is not a political game. He encourages the Legislature to  
recognize what is important for public safety.  
Mr. Abarca asked if there are any other places in the County where the ADA  
compliance is a priority for the County Executive. He asked about access to  
the trails, the Independence Courthouse, and other Independence-related  
facilities. Mr. Abarca said there was an issue with bid steering from the  
Executive’s office. Mr. White said he does not agree with that  
characterization. He has been with the County for 10 years. He knows more  
about the County and its infrastructure issues. It will take a lot to correct  
these issues. Mr. Abarca asked why the County Executive is not present at  
the meetings every week. Mr. White said the Charter does not require his  
attendance every week. The County is not a school board, and he is not a  
superintendent.  
6
PERFECTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND REPORTS OF COMMITTEE  
The Finance and Audit Committee recommended do not perfect.  
5860  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Manuel Abarca IV, to  
perfect Ordinance #5860, submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson  
County, Missouri, at a General Election to be held on November 5, 2024, a  
question authorizing Jackson County to impose a countywide capital  
improvement sales tax of one-eighth of one percent for a period of  
twenty-five years for the purpose of retaining the Kansas City Chiefs sports  
team in Jackson County, Missouri. The motion failed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 1 - Donna Peyton  
No: 8 -  
Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca  
IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E.  
Smith  
(FAILED)  
5861  
AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County,  
Missouri, at a General Election to be held on November 5, 2024, a question  
authorizing Jackson County to impose a countywide capital improvement  
sales tax of three-eighths of one percent for a period of forty years for the  
purpose of retaining the Kansas City Chiefs sports team in Jackson County,  
Missouri.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Perfection)  
Sean E. Smith, County Legislator, explained his proposed amendment to  
Ordinance #5861. He said the amendment reduces the sales tax by a third  
from three-eighths of one percent to one-fourth of one percent. This  
specifically is to fund the Truman Sports Complex, so that could be one or  
both stadiums located at the site. This amendment also provides for a  
funding source after 2031. In the event that the teams leave, the tax will  
sunset after five years. He believes the amendment sets a baseline level for  
any other entity considering helping to fund the teams.  
Manuel Abarca IV asked the County Counselor’s Office how this  
amendment is a floor amendment as opposed to a new piece of legislation.  
Whitney Miller, Chief Deputy County Counselor, said this amendment was  
requested by Mr. Smith. The title is in the same subject matter as the original  
legislation. It was determined to be appropriate as an amendment.  
No action was taken on the amendment.  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to hold  
Ordinance #5861. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 5 - Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon  
McGee and Sean E. Smith  
No: 4 - Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson and Donna Peyton  
(APPROVED)  
5864  
AN ORDINANCE submitting to the qualified voters of Jackson County,  
Missouri, at the general election to be held on November 5, 2024, a  
question to amend the Jackson County Charter, with an effective date.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Perfection)  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to  
hold Ordinance #5864.The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 9 - Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and  
Sean E. Smith  
(APPROVED)  
5865  
5866  
AN ORDINANCE enacting section 5577., Jackson County Code, 1984,  
relating to possession of firearms and age restriction.  
(Rules Committee - 1st. Perfection)  
AN ORDINANCE enacting section 2066., Jackson County Code, 1984,  
relating to the Senior Property Tax Credit.  
(Legislature As A Whole - 1st. Perfection)  
Manuel Abarca IV said he believes this ordinance needs a fiscal impact  
statement to fully understand how the taxing jurisdictions, particularly school  
districts, libraries, and the community colleges, will be affected by this  
measure. This is not an attempt to withhold benefits from senior citizens.  
Caleb Clifford, Chief of Staff, said the changes being recommended will not  
have an impact on the taxing jurisdictions. The changes being proposed will  
put into place the process in which the County will implement the Senior  
Homestead measure. The decision was already made by the Legislature to  
direct the County to implement the SB190 law. The proposed ordinance will  
align the County with state law, allowing taxpayers 62 and older to apply for  
this credit.  
Sean E. Smith said this echoes his sentiment. This aligns the County with  
state law. Mr. Abarca said he does not understand how a fiscal note is not  
assigned. He disagrees with Mr. Clifford. This will cost revenue to taxing  
jurisdictions, which he has verified with the Missouri school district  
associations. Mr. Clifford said he welcomes a presentation by the Collection  
Department regarding this issue.  
Jalen Anderson, County Legislator, said he agrees with Mr. Clifford’s points.  
If the legislature was concerned about the impact on taxing jurisdictions, they  
should have considered that last year when the original legislation was  
passed.  
Donna Peyton, County Legislator, said this will increase the number of  
people eligible for the senior tax credit. There is nothing the Legislature can  
do. Having the data would be beneficial, but the data will not change the  
outcome. If you are eligible under state law, then you are eligible. DaRon  
McGee, County Legislator, said he echoes the comments of Legislator  
Peyton. He has been working with the Director of Collections on this issue.  
This ordinance clarifies the rules to align with state law.  
Manuel Abarca IV said the previous legislation had a trigger clause to put  
caps in place as a circuit breaker allowing the Legislature to reconsider the  
program. He believes the Legislature should gather information from the  
school districts before passing this legislation.  
Whitney Miller said what was passed previously is no longer a legal  
program. These changes will make it into a legal program. The ordinance  
passed previously is no longer in compliance with state statutes. If these  
changes are not passed, then there will be no program.  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to  
perfect Ordinance #5866, followed by a motion to hold.  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Donna Peyton, to  
hold Ordinance #5866. The motion failed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 1 - Manuel Abarca IV  
No: 7 - Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Charlie Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E. Smith  
Abstain: 1 - Venessa Huskey  
5866  
A motion was made by Sean E. Smith, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to  
perfect Ordinance #5866, enacting section 2066., Jackson County Code,  
1984, relating to the Senior Property Tax Credit. The motion passed by a roll  
call vote:  
Yes: 9 -  
Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon  
McGee and Sean E. Smith  
(PERFECTED)  
5867  
5867  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by DaRon McGee to  
perfect Ordinance #5867. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
(PERFECTED)  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by DaRon McGee, to  
adopt Ordinance #5867, appropriating $577,680.00 within the 2024 County  
Improvement Fund and authorizing two twelve-month extensions to the term  
and supply contract with Remy Corporation of Lake Denver, CO, for the  
furnishing of professional services for use by the Information Technology  
Department, under the terms of State of Oklahoma contract No. SW1025, a  
competitively-bid government contract. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 9 -  
Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon  
McGee and Sean E. Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
7
FINAL PASSAGE OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES  
None.  
8
RESOLUTIONS IN COMMITTEE  
21641  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca IV, seconded by Sean E. Smith, to  
discharge Resolution #21641 from the Land Use Committee to the  
Legislature As A Whole, authorizing the County Executive or the Chairman  
of the Legislature to sell the County-owned property located at 1300  
Washington Street, Kansas City, MO 64105 via the competitive bidding  
process.. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 5 -  
Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, DaRon McGee  
and Sean E. Smith  
No: 4 -  
Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson and Charlie  
Franklin  
(APPROVED)  
A motion was made by Manuel Abarca, seconded by Venessa Huskey, to  
hold Resolution #21641 in Legislature As A Whole. The motion passed by a  
roll call vote:  
Yes: 6 - Donna Peyton, Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie  
Franklin, DaRon McGee and Sean E. Smith  
No: 3 - Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall and Jalen Anderson  
(APPROVED)  
21667  
21668  
A RESOLUTION amending Rules 16 and 19 of the Rules of the Jackson  
County Legislature relating to the transfer of legislation between  
committees.  
(Rules Committee - 4th. Meeting)  
A RESOLUTION expressing the support of the Jackson County Legislature  
for the creation of a Jackson County Office of Gun Violence Prevention.  
(Budget Committee - 3rd. Meeting)  
21677  
21678  
21680  
Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.  
Finance and Audit Committee moved to adopt. Consent Agenda.  
Justice and Law Enforcement Committee moved to adopt. Consent  
Agenda.  
9
CONSENT AGENDA  
21677  
21678  
21680  
A RESOLUTION awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract with two  
twelve-month options to extend for the furnishing of custodial services for  
use by the Public Works Department - Facilities Management Division to  
MC Janitorial of Olathe, Kansas, under terms and conditions of Invitation to  
Bid No.24-033.  
(ADOPTED)  
A RESOLUTION awarding twenty-four-month term and supply contracts, with  
one twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of lawn and golf course  
equipment repair for use by various County departments to Lawn & Leisure,  
Inc., of Lee's Summit, MO and Van Wall Equipment, Inc. of Lenexa, KS,  
under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 24-034.  
(ADOPTED)  
A RESOLUTION awarding a contract for the furnishing of nine full size SUVs  
for use by the Sheriff’s Office to Reed Motors STJ, LLC, dba Reed Chrysler  
Dodge Jeep Ram of Saint Joseph, MO, under the terms and conditions of  
State of Missouri Contract No. CC240138010, an existing competitively bid  
government contract, at an actual cost to the County in the amount of  
$384,399.00.  
(ADOPTED)  
Resolutions #21677, #21678 and #21680 were moved to the Consent  
Agenda for adoption.  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by Megan L. Marshall, to  
approve the Consent Agenda. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 9 -  
Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin, DaRon  
McGee and Sean E. Smith  
10  
11  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED ORDINANCES AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
None.  
INTRODUCTION OF PROPOSED RESOLUTIONS AND ASSIGNMENT TO COMMITTEE  
21681  
Awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with one  
twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of glazing services for use  
by the Public Works Department to Binswanger Glass of Independence,  
Missouri, under the terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 23-026.  
(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)  
21682  
21683  
Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with one twelve-month  
option to extend, for the furnishing of asphaltic concrete for use by the Public  
Works Department to Vance Brothers, Inc., of Kansas City, MO, under the  
terms and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 24-007.  
(Assigned to the Public Works Committee.)  
Awarding a twelve-month term and supply contract, with one twelve-month  
option to extend, for the furnishing of electronic monitoring equipment for use  
by the Jackson County Sheriff’s Population Control Office, to BI Incorporated  
of Boulder, CO, under the terms and conditions of OMNIA Partners - City of  
Mesa, Arizona Contract No. 2022118, an existing competitively bid  
government contract.  
(Assigned to the Justice and Law Enforcement Committee.)  
21684  
21685  
Transferring $778,483.00 within the 2024 General Fund and $59,772.00  
within the E-911 System Fund for the furnishing of advanced cybersecurity  
solutions from existing term and supply contract vendors.  
(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)  
Awarding a twenty-four-month term and supply contract, with one  
twelve-month option to extend, for the furnishing of livestock feed, animal  
food, and agricultural supplies and equipment for use by various County  
departments to Feldman’s Farm and Home of Liberty, MO, under the terms  
and conditions of Invitation to Bid No. 24-038.  
(Assigned to the Finance and Audit Committee.)  
21686  
21687  
Transferring $127,500.00 within the 2024 General Fund to replace a  
pedestrian bridge along the Little Blue Trace Trail damaged by a severe  
storm, utilizing an existing term and supply contract.  
(Assigned to the Land Use Committee.)  
A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to  
adopt Resolution #21687, authorizing the Jackson County Legislature to  
hold a closed meeting on Monday, July 29, 2024, for the purpose of  
conducting privileged and confidential communications between itself and  
the Jackson County Counselor under section 610.021(1) 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 -  
Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Donna Peyton,  
Manuel Abarca IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon  
McGee  
Abstain: 1 - Sean E. Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
No objection to the consideration of Resolution #21688 - not on printed  
agenda.  
21688  
A motion was made by Jalen Anderson, seconded by DaRon McGee, to  
adopt Resolution #21688, approving the settlement by the County Counselor  
of the claims of Next of Friend Sean Moore related to a personal injury with  
the Parks + Rec Department, for a total payment by the County of  
$120,000.00. The motion passed by a roll call vote:  
Yes: 7 -  
Jeanie Lauer, Megan L. Marshall, Jalen Anderson, Manuel Abarca  
IV, Venessa Huskey, Charlie Franklin and DaRon McGee  
No: 1 - Donna Peyton  
Absent: 1 - Sean E. Smith  
(ADOPTED)  
12  
13  
COUNTY EXECUTIVE ORDERS  
None.  
UNFINISHED BUSINESS  
Sean E. Smith asked the County Counselor if the County had taken any  
remedial action as a result of the Administrative Order received from the  
State Tax Commission on July 11, 2024. Bryan Covinsky, County  
Counselor, said the Board of Equalization was already meeting before that  
notice came out. The BOE plans to continue meetings through August 16.  
Mr. Smith said right now the BOE is meeting three days a week, Tuesday,  
Wednesday, and Thursday. Mr. Covinsky said the BOE meets Tuesday,  
Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, four days a week. The STC requires that  
the BOE meet on Mondays. Mr. Covinsky said the basis for that statute is for  
small counties that do not necessarily meet, to have a start date to meet.  
The County already had meetings scheduled. Mr. Smith said the order came  
through the Clerk’s Office and was emailed to all Legislators. Mr. Smith said  
there are over 10,000 appeals from 2023 still outstanding. He is concerned  
why the BOE has requested additional compensation but are meeting less  
and having smaller dockets. Troy Schulte, County Administrator, said the  
Administration has had several conversations with the Chair of the BOE to  
move more quickly on its hearings.  
Mr. Smith said he had requested recordings of the BOE hearings. He was  
told by Mr. Covinsky that he needed to request those through the Sunshine  
request process. Mr. Covinsky said that is because the BOE is having  
hearings right now as well as current litigation on these issues. He said this  
information should be presented as a Sunshine request. Mr. Smith said he  
used to receive these recordings routinely every day. He said he had been  
removed from the distribution list. When he listened to the live meeting, the  
BOE was advising appellants that they won’t receive their decision for 30  
days. But the law requires taxpayers to file an appeal to the STC within 30  
days following an action of the BOE. He is concerned taxpayers are being  
denied due process. He requested that someone take responsibility for  
making sure decision letters are properly dated and sent on the day the  
decision is made. Troy Schulte said that he will check on that. He said the  
30-day clock starts the date the letter is sent out. The decision letters are  
printed in a batch. Mr. Smith said the previous BOE Chair sent the letter at  
the end of each week. Now they are sending them each month.  
Donna Peyton expressed concern that the Legislature is not receiving  
information timely. She asked if they are in violation of the Sunshine Law if  
they are not responding timely. Mr. Covinsky said there are 72 hours to  
respond. That response does not have to provide the information requested  
but is an acknowledgment of the Sunshine request. Mr. Covinsky said this  
information is included in the County’s GovQA public request system. The  
requester is told how much the request will cost. That may not happen within  
the initial response but may follow.  
Manuel Abarca IV asked if the County Executive has a response to his letter  
regarding gun violence legislation. Mr. White said he has no comment at this  
time.  
Jalen Anderson asked for clarification about the SB190 ordinance. He  
asked if taxpayers who previously applied for the credit need to reapply.  
Whitney Miller said no one who previously applied needs to re-apply. Those  
applications still stand. Mr. Schulte said there have been 12,000  
applications submitted.  
14  
NEW BUSINESS  
The County Legislature went into closed meeting per Resolution #21687.  
The County Legislature reconvened.  
Resolution #21688 was adopted at this time. See page 10 for details.  
15  
ADJOURNMENT  
A motion was made by Megan L. Marshall, seconded by Jalen Anderson, to  
adjourn the meeting. The motion passed by a voice vote.  
The next legislative meeting is scheduled to be held on Monday, August 5,  
2024 at 3:00 P.M. at the Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street,  
Kansas City, Missouri, 2nd Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.