Jackson County finance committee holds several measures; forwards $75,000 appropriation without recommendation

Jackson County’s Finance and Audit Committee on an unrecorded date held or deferred several ordinances and resolutions and sent Ordinance 5969 — a $75,000 appropriation to create a new position in the Combat Administration division of the Jackson County Prosecutor’s Office — to the full legislature without recommendation after a 2–2 committee vote.

The committee debated funding sources and timing before voting. Committee members questioned whether 5969 would draw from the 2025 budget or from prior-year funds; county staff and the prosecutor’s office said the money would come from the fiscal year 2024 undesignated fund balance and, if the measure passes, the position would be included in future budgets. Mr. Clifford, county finance staff, said, “As a general rule, no. But, yes, there are exceptions to that, and this may be one of those,” when asked whether prior-year funds can be spent after year-end.

The meeting included brief presentations and motions on multiple numbered items. Ordinance 5965, which would repeal and re-enact subsections of the county code relating to a senior tax credit, was held for further review amid questions about whether competing versions (introduced by different legislators) should be reconciled. Committee members agreed to hold Ordinance 5970, a $100,000 appropriation to acquire an automated grant-management system for the Prosecutor’s Office’s combat administration division, after staff described that the system is intended to streamline grant reporting and payments to service providers.

The committee also considered Ordinance 5971, authorizing up to $25,000 for a cooperative agreement with Michael Mansur (consultant) to support the SaveKC/Stand Against Violence KC project. A representative of the Prosecutor’s Office described SaveKC as a multi-agency violence-reduction initiative involving the Kansas City Police Department, federal partners (including ATF and FBI), Family Court, retired judges, community partners and service providers. The prosecutor’s office said the $25,000 would cover consulting costs for a six-month period and noted that, in February, SaveKC clients did not commit homicides or nonfatal shootings. Committee members moved and seconded to hold 5971 given outstanding budget questions.

Several resolutions were discussed and held or otherwise deferred. Resolution 21875 — a 12‑month term-and-supply contract for body transportation services to First Call of Kansas City under invitation to bid No. 24-082 — was held pending confirmation whether an emergency order had already been processed. Resolution 21876, authorizing an intergovernmental agreement with the Mid-America Regional Council Solid Waste Management District to provide access to the regional household hazardous waste center for unincorporated Jackson County residents at an actual cost to the county of $26,761, was moved and held. Purchasing staff member Barbara Casimino described Resolution 21877, a 24‑month term-and-supply contract (with two 12‑month extension options) for paint and painting supplies to PPG Architectural Finishes, Inc., and Sherwin-Williams; that measure was also held.

Committee members collectively moved to waive readings on a group of remaining resolutions (21879, 21880, 21881, 21882, 21883 and 21897) and then voted to hold those items. Several motions to hold individual measures were seconded and carried by voice vote.

Votes at a glance: - Ordinance 5969 (appropriating $75,000 for a new Combat Administration position): Committee vote resulted in a 2–2 split; the chair announced the ordinance would be sent to the full legislature without recommendation. (Funding source as stated at the meeting: fiscal year 2024 undesignated fund balance.) - Ordinance 5970 (appropriating $100,000 for a grant-management system): Motion to hold carried; no committee recommendation. - Ordinance 5971 (contracting up to $25,000 with Michael Mansur for SaveKC consulting, six months): Motion to hold carried; no committee recommendation. - Res. 21875 (body transportation services contract): Held pending check for an emergency order. - Res. 21876 (MARC household hazardous waste access, $26,761): Held. - Res. 21877 (paint and supplies term-and-supply contract): Held. - Res. 21879, 21880, 21881, 21882, 21883, 21897: Readings waived and items held.

Committee members raised procedural questions tied to a broader budget dispute: several legislators noted there is pending litigation over the 2025 county budget and that uncertainty complicated actions on 2025 appropriations. County counsel and staff cautioned about open-meetings and litigation-related constraints on discussion. The meeting concluded with committee members agreeing to hold multiple items for further review or to forward them to the full legislature for consideration.

Next steps: Measures that were held will return for further committee review or be placed before the full legislature; Ordinance 5969 will appear before the full legislature without a committee recommendation.