Council appoints Donnie Funk to fill District 4 vacancy after public forum

Lee's Summit City Council voted 7–1 on Feb. 10 to appoint Donnie Funk to the vacant District 4 seat after a public candidate forum that included opening and closing statements, a 12-question council Q&A and public endorsement statements.

The forum gave each candidate two minutes for opening and closing remarks and one minute to answer council questions. Funk, who has served on the city Planning Commission for about 10 years and as its chair for the last four, told the council he moved to Lee's Summit in 1987 and that he and his wife raised two sons there. “I've been very blessed,” Funk said in his opening statement. Candidate Yana Cravens, a 19-year resident and local business owner, said she would “work tirelessly to ensure that all voices in our communities are heard and valued.”

The mayor opened the forum by asking the council to amend the previously approved forum rules to allow up to 12 council questions instead of six; Council member Shields made the motion, it was seconded, and the amendment passed by roll call. Council members then took turns asking the prepared questions. Topics included public safety, economic development priorities, the city strategic plan, neighborhood impacts of development and the council role in long-range planning.

After candidates gave closing statements and a five-speaker public comment period that included supporters for both candidates, council members nominated and discussed the two applicants. Council member Carlisle nominated Donnie Funk. Council member Shields then nominated Yana Cravens. The council closed nominations and proceeded to a roll-call vote; the city clerk recorded eight council responses and the tally was seven votes for Funk and one for Cravens. The mayor announced the result and staff said the developer would administer an administrative swearing-in and a ceremonial swearing-in would be scheduled for Feb. 25.

Council members who explained their votes cited different priorities: supporters of Funk said his Planning Commission experience and short learning curve would let him “hit the ground running” during the roughly 14-month appointment; supporters of Cravens cited her private-sector background and call for new perspectives at the dais. Public commenters who spoke on behalf of each candidate emphasized community involvement and local leadership experience.

No additional formal action about the appointment was recorded at the meeting beyond the roll-call vote and scheduling of the swearing-in.

Funk will serve the remainder of the vacated District 4 term until the April 2026 municipal election, when the seat will be placed on the ballot along with the regular four-year District 4 seat.

Council members later thanked the candidates and the public for participation and discussed whether the forum process should be codified; the council agreed to take follow-up procedural items to the Rules Committee for possible ordinance or process changes.