The Lee's Summit Legislative and Intergovernmental Relations Committee on Sept. 15 reviewed and edited a draft of the city's 2026 legislative priorities, emphasizing local transportation projects, continued support for Amtrak service and more targeted language on tax changes that could affect municipal revenue.

Chairperson Karen Carlisle opened the discussion on the draft document and noted the packet showed struck items and new entries. Committee members confirmed a new estimated city population of 107,281 would be included in the document. City staff reported they had discussed Amtrak with Missouri Department of Transportation staff and that the city should "continue support for Amtrak," specifically noting the city currently has three trains daily.

Council Member Shields pressed staff to tighten broad language under the revenue section so the document would better reflect the specific property-tax concerns lobbyists expect to surface next year. Shields said, "We support tax reform to ensure changes are predictable and reasonable while protecting municipal revenues." The councilmember and other members discussed combining a brief opening statement about tax reform with bullets that preserve local control and revenue stability.

On transportation, members kept language supporting funding for priority projects including I-470 Highway improvements and Third Street and Highway 50 improvements. Members also asked staff to check with Public Works and MoDOT about nearby interchange surveying and to share any relevant updates with other committees.

Committee members removed a reference to the World Cup and discussed whether language about a state constitutional amendment should remain; staff noted that a constitutional amendment going to voters would be a ballot issue rather than a legislative lobbying item and recommended removing it from the legislative advocacy list.

Staff were directed to work with the city's lobbyist to refine targeted language (particularly on property tax reform), to upload any additional management-team suggestions into the packet, and to present updated language at a future meeting. Brian (staff) was asked to coordinate with the lobbyist; Terry Head will place the item on the management-team agenda. The committee set a follow-up management-team review; the committee's next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 20.