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Jackson County legislature approves nearly $4 million anti‑crime agreement with Kansas City Police commissioners
Summary
The Jackson County Legislature voted to authorize a contract with the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners for anti‑crime activities not to exceed $3,982,251 after members raised concerns about drafting errors; the measure passed 7–1 with one absence.
The Jackson County Legislature on Nov. 17 approved a contract authorizing the prosecution attorney to execute an anti‑crime agreement with the Kansas City Board of Police Commissioners for up to $3,982,251, despite questions from some legislators about errors in the draft contract.
County Counselor Whitney Miller told the chamber she had a copy of the 2025 agreement but acknowledged some materials in the packet were the 2024 attachments. "I do have a singular copy of the 2025," Miller said, noting the version provided to the committee had not yet been fully updated and the revenue certificate still needed to be added. Murray Woodard, director of Jackson County Combat, described the allocation that is spelled out in statute and the portion of anti‑crime tax receipts designated for Kansas City Police Department operations: "9.5 percent of the anti crime taxes allocated to KCPD," he said, explaining that the amounts were already reflected in the budget.
Several legislators pressed for corrected contract language and precise term dates before final signatures. One legislator pointed to inconsistencies in the circulation copy and asked why the fully executed contract and revenue certificate were not included in the legislative packet. Miller and other staff said adjustments would be made after approval and that the document before the body was a draft of the 2025 contract with some legacy attachments that would be cleaned up.
After discussion, the legislature voted by roll call; the motion carried with seven votes in favor, one vote against and one legislator absent. Clerk roll call recorded the vote as 7 yes, 1 no, 1 absent.
The chamber’s action authorizes the county to proceed with contract execution but multiple legislators emphasized that the final signed agreement must reflect the correct dates, term language and revenue documentation before the county counselor signs the contract.
Next steps: staff said they would correct the contract attachments and the revenue certificate language and return final contract documents as appropriate for administrative completion.
