Summary
- Legislators heard from homeowners and business people who supported and opposed a 120–day moratorium on the county’s processing of land use applications for data centers and battery energy storage systems and on new data center development projects.
- Interim County Executive Phil LeVota shared information about the tax appeal process for delinquent properties.
- LeVota offered to confer with Jackson County Sheriff Darryl Forté about the county’s new jail and legislators’ oversight.
Notes
Meeting Attendance
- LeVota
Legislators:
- Chairman Manuel Abarca IV, 1st District
- Jalen Anderson (Zoom), 1st District At-Large
- Venessa Huskey, 2nd District
- Jeanie Lauer, 5th District
- DaRon McGee (late arrival), 4th District
- Donna Peyton, 2nd District At-Large
- Vice Chairman Sean E. Smith, 6th District
- Hearings on ordinances 6074 and 6087, both of which would place moratoriums on approval of data centers. Seven people were sworn in to speak.
- Proponents
- Four spoke in favor of a 120-day moratorium before processing land use applications for data centers and battery energy storage systems to give the county time to enhance public notification requirements and develop long-term policy. One proponent of the moratorium opposed battery energy storage systems generally.
- Those in favor of a moratorium cited concerns including:
- Potential delays in fighting fires at the facility. One speaker said a school was within a five-mile radius of a proposed site, which could endanger children if a fire were to occur at the data center.
- Water use, because of declining rainfall and depleted aquifers.
- Forever chemicals, because they have been shown to harm human health.
- Proponents objected to the requirement to notify people living within 1,000 feet of a proposed project. One speaker said that would be only four people and therefore insufficient reason for the requirement. Smith agreed and said the requirement needed review.
- All in favor of the moratorium advocated for allowing public input.
- One speaker asserted that data centers did not qualify as an allowed use under the county development code.
- Opponents
- Speakers said concerns about water and energy use were overstated, especially on social media. They said technology was developing so quickly that those concerns would be ameliorated.
- Speakers said benefits that would accrue from advancing applications without a 120-day delay included:
- Providing jobs and benefits
- Improving low-value land parcels
- Increasing tax revenue
- Taking advantage of opportunities
- Proponents
- County Executive Report.
- The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority’s first day for bus fares was hampered by long delays in getting bus passes. LeVota said KCATA planned to increase staff and would allow a three-week grace period for people to ride free while securing passes.
- Prompted by Abarca, LeVota updated property tax activity:
- The senior tax credit freezing tax rates for seniors takes effect in 2027.
- The pay-ahead tax program would start in July when residents can take advantage of a tax payment plan. Though the tax bill may come due Dec. 31 each year, residents may fulfill their tax obligation weekly or monthly.
- The delinquent-tax sale process is underway for tax years 2022, 2023 and 2024. He emphasized that homeowners had many options and opportunities to avoid losing their properties and could enter into a contract for repayment.
- Perfection of Proposed Ordinances and Reports of Committee:
- 6050 prohibiting law enforcement officers from concealing their faces or badges and establishing penalties and exemptions was held due to legal concerns.
- 6077 affecting standards for care and treatment in Jackson County residential facilities was held until the sheriff comments. The legislators said the ordinance needed amending to ensure legislative access to the facilities and oversight.
- 6074 and 6087, both related to a 120-day data center moratorium, were held. Discussion occurred about 120 days versus 180 days. The ordinance’s sponsor, Smith, said his goal in setting 120 days for the moratorium was to give the county time to review and revise policy, understand the county’s liabilities, set regulations and hear from experts without missing opportunities that could benefit the county.
- Ordinance 6081 regarding zoning was held because a public hearing for this change had been set for June 22.
- Adopted ordinances were 6075 related to zoning, 6083 related to grant funds, 6084 related to rescinding a conditional use permit (CUP), and 6085 related to continuing a CUP for horse boarding.
- Final Passage of Proposed Ordinances
- Ordinance 6049 was held again “out of respect for absent legislators.” Abarca voted against holding the item “establishing a third-party monitoring program for … projects and authorizing access for qualified contracted third parties to conduct site visits.” He said he voted against holding the item because of how long the ordinance had remained unresolved.
- Resolutions in Committee
- Lauer said resolution 22270 related to prisoner transport was held by the committee.
- Legislators expressed concern about the length of time granted by resolution 22273 for third-party tax delinquency notices. Legal staff advised that it needed to be approved as property tax delinquency proceedings are underway, necessitating passage. Furthermore, due to the nature of the work to notify owners about tax debt, the number of vendors who apply to do the work is low. The resolution was adopted.
- Resolution 22276 was held due to legal challenges regarding a sponsorship for the 2026 Palestine Senior Citizens Activity Center’s Prom.
- Lauer voted against resolution 22277 condemning congressional redistricting. All other legislators present voted to adopt the measure, which passed.
- Consent Agenda
- Introduction of Proposed Ordinances and Assignment to Committee:
- Introduction of Proposed Resolutions and Assignment to Committee
- Resolution 22278 (adopted) recognized Peace Partnership during Mental Health Awareness Month. The organization provided mental healthcare and support to 8,000 county residents last year. Care is free or very low cost.
- Resolution 22279 (adopted) authorizes a lease agreement addendum to add parking spaces for staff at the county-owned parking garage at 14th and Locust streets.
- Resolution 22280 was held until the recipient could be present. Resolutions 22282 through 22286 were adopted. Resolutions 22289 through 22292 and 22294 were adopted, recognizing individuals who have died, retired or served the community well.
- Resolution 22282 recognizes the National Organization of Black County Officials, which is hosting its 40th economic conference this year. The county recently joined the organization.
- Resolution 22283 recognized Jess & Jim’s Steakhouse for its 88th anniversary.
- Resolution 22284 recognized the 46th anniversary of the National Association of Hispanic County Officials.
- Resolution 22290 recognized Unity Day.
- Resolution 22288 honored the founders and students of the Comprehensive Arts Institute for mentoring their students in developing a “positive sense of self through music education and life skills [education].”
- At the request of family members, resolution 22287 renames Longview Lake’s Shelter 2 to honor Mike Spieler for his lasting contributions to youth.
- Resolution 22293 directs the county executive to gather information and implement a plan to restore and preserve Lake Jacomo.
- County Executive Order 26-21
- The Ethics, Human Relations & Citizens Complaints Commission (EHRCC) had two seats open. LeVota named John R. Humphrey and Jane Whiting to fill the positions. Anderson moved to disapprove and later withdrew the motion to disapprove. LeVota spoke of a lack of collaboration. He said the commission could be meeting and working to resolve citizen complaints, but it had been delayed. The Legislature held the order until it could learn more.
- Anti-Crime Sales Tax Fund. Abarca asked for information about how the money is being distributed. LeVota said he would arrange for informational meetings.
Observations & Follow-Up Questions
- How quickly and amicably will the rift between the legislature and sheriff be mended?
- What are the reservations about the nominating process to fill EHRCC positions?
- How will the county protect residents while supporting businesses applying for land use approval for data centers, battery energy storage or both?
If you believe anything in these notes is inaccurate, please email us at documenters@thebeacon.media with “Correction Request” in the subject line. Learn more about Documenters on our website.
