Grandview swears in Christina “Chris” Ingersoll as municipal judge; Ronald Johnson honored at ceremony

The Grandview City Council honored longtime Municipal Judge Ronald E. Johnson and swore in Christina "Chris" Ingersoll as the city’s municipal judge during a ceremony at City Hall.

Mayor Leonard D. Jones Jr. read a proclamation recognizing Johnson’s service, noting that he was elected to the municipal bench on April 5, 2016, served as a Navy judge advocate, and has been a Grandview resident for more than 38 years. "On behalf of your outstanding board of aldermen and the citizens of Grandview, Missouri, do hereby congratulate and express our heartfelt appreciation, Judge Ronald E. Johnson, for his honorable dedication and unselfish service," the proclamation said (mayor, reading proclamation).

Johnson, who described the swearing-in of his successor as his "last official act as judge," thanked campaign volunteers, court staff and the community for their support during his service. "I have been privileged to work with and trade information and war stories with judges across the state," he said, reflecting on his time on the bench.

Johnson administered the oath to Christina Ingersoll, asking her to "support all city ordinances, state laws, the constitutions of Missouri and the United States, and faithfully discharge the duties of the office of judge of the Missouri Circuit Court municipal division at the city of Grandview." Ingersoll responded, "I do."

Mayor Jones outlined Ingersoll’s background before the swearing-in: she has more than 30 years of legal experience, a J.D. from the University of Missouri–Kansas City School of Law (top of her class), experience as senior counsel at Travelers, time with the Missouri attorney general’s office, and local volunteer work. The mayor noted Ingersoll will fill the vacancy until the next general election in April 2026.

Ingersoll thanked supporters and colleagues from prior positions and the Women’s Legal Association, and said she welcomed the opportunity to learn from Johnson during a brief transition period. "I have had a wonderful example, and I intend to carry that out as well," she said.

The council recessed into photographs and a small celebration following the ceremony. The meeting record shows no public hearings were held that night and that the council returned to routine business after the presentation.

Next procedural steps: the mayor’s appointment fills the vacancy until the April 2026 general election; the council approved routine consent business later in the meeting and scheduled a closed session on Dec. 9, 2025 for matters related to employee-group negotiations.

(Reporting drawn from the council’s meeting transcript; quotes are verbatim except where bracketed clarifications are minimal.)