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County files suit related to insulin pricing

1/19/2023

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​     Jackson County has filed a lawsuit related to the pricing of insulin. The county’s lawsuit alleges that insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers engage in unlawful rebate schemes that unnecessarily drive up the price of insulin for consumers and healthcare payors.
     Jackson County is suing the insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers for violations of Missouri law. The suit seeks damages and injunctive relief to address and stop the harm caused by the rebate scheme.
     In a release, the County explains "insulin has increased in price exponentially over the last 20 years, even though there have been no major advancements or changes in the drug or how it is manufactured. This is a problem unique to the United States. The average price per unit of insulin in America, across all types of insulin, is more than 10 times higher than the average in other countries."
     “Diabetes is a major health concern in Jackson County, which is why in our expanded Our Healthy KC Eastside programming we will be prioritizing diabetes prevention and free supportive resources throughout the community,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. 
     “The cost of insulin, a life-saving drug that millions rely on, has skyrocketed because of the greed between insulin manufacturers and pharmacy benefit managers. Our legal action is intended to tackle this problem and expose the scheme that has harmed thousands of Missourians.”
     In Missouri, diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death and Jackson County is in the highest quartile of Missouri counties with adults diagnosed with diabetes.

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Jackson County Legislature meeting recap: DaRon McGee elected chairman

1/12/2023

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     In its first meeting of 2023, the Jackson County Legislature elected DaRon McGee as Chairman and Megan Marshall as Vice-Chair. 
     County Executive Frank White, Jr. introduced The Honorable Jalilah Otto, who will serve as the presiding judge for the next two years. 
     The 2023 budget and proposed tax levy continued with their third perfection. Based on the estimates and appropriations in the 2023 recommended budget, the following amounts on each one hundred dollars of assessed valuation represent the tentative tax levy for the fiscal year 2023 on real and personal property within Jackson County, Missouri:

General $0.2485
Health $0.1701
Park $0.1153
Special Road and Bridge $0.0771
TOTAL $0.6110

     The Legislature sent a proposed ordinance to the budget committee to consider adding a question on the April 2023 ballot authorizing Jackson County to impose a countywide sales tax of three percent on all tangible personal property retail sales of adult use, non-medicinal marijuana.
     The next meeting of the Legislature will be held Tuesday, January 17, 2023 at 10:00am, at the Jackson County Courthouse, 415 E. 12th Street, Kansas City, Missouri, 2nd Floor, Legislative Assembly Area.
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 In its first meeting of 2023, the Jackson County Legislature elected DaRon McGee as Chairman and Megan Marshall as Vice-Chair. Photo credit: Jackson County Government
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Jackson County offers extended weekend hours for tax collection

12/1/2022

 
    Jackson County will once again offer extended weekend hours for tax collection at the historic courthouse in Independence on two Saturdays in December.
     The Historic Truman Courthouse, located at 112 W. Lexington in Independence, will be open from 8 a.m. – Noon on December 10 and December 17. Taxpayers can visit the Truman Courthouse during those times to make in-person tax payments, obtain a copy of their bill, make changes to their account, or ask questions of the Assessment and Collection Departments. These functions can also be completed online.
     “This is the busiest time of year for the Collection Department and they continue to go the extra mile to help taxpayers take care of business as quickly and as safely as possible,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. “Staff work very hard to provide good customer service which is a core value of Jackson County. They are essential to the successful operation of this County, and I hope taxpayers appreciate their service as much as I do.”
     Taxpayers can also make quick and easy payments through the mobile and web-based application called myJacksonCounty. The program allows taxpayers to make a secure payment with a credit card, debit card or e-check with or without setting up an account. The free app, myJacksonCounty, is available for download on Apple and Android devices via the iTunes App Store or Google Play App Store. It can also be found online at https://payments.jacksongov.org.
     “Paying online is strongly encouraged to limit crowd sizes, but we know we have taxpayers who prefer to conduct business in person,” Department of Collection Director Whitney Miller said. “As a result, it is important for us to continue to provide extended weekend hours for taxpayers to make payments. Many taxpayers have taken advantage of this opportunity over the years, and we expect that to be the case again.”
     The Department of Collection mailed tax bills during the month of November. Individuals who don’t receive a bill are still responsible for paying their taxes, which are due by the end of the year. Those who haven’t received a bill by December 10 should check their account online or call the Department of Collection at (816) 881-3232 to find out the amount due.
 
Other contactless payment options:
     Exterior drop boxes for property tax payments are located at the west door of the Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City (415 E. 12th St.) and at the south door of the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence (112 W. Lexington).
     Taxpayers can also mail their payment to the address on their bill. Payments must be received or USPS postmarked by December 31 to avoid penalty.
 
Making account changes:
    Taxpayers needing to make changes to their accounts prior to paying their taxes are strongly encouraged to do so via email or phone. Simply contact the County at the email addresses below.
 
Questions or changes related to:
  • Individual Personal Property Accounts (vehicles): IPP@jacksongov.org or call 816-881-1330
  • Business Personal Property Accounts (property owned by businesses): Email BPAsmt@jacksongov.org or call 816-881-4672
  • Real Property Accounts (residential or commercial): asmtcustomerservice@jacksongov.org or call 816-881-3530
  • Interest, penalties, fees: collections@jacksongov.org or call 816-881-3232
  • Pending value appeals with the BOE: boardofequalization@jacksongov.org or call 816-881-3309
 
As a reminder, all County locations and the online payment vendor’s offices will be closed on December 26.

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Jackson County Food Inspection Report

12/1/2022

 
Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 7 days:
 
Essex of Grain Valley
401 SW Rock Creek Ln
Observed store bought pesticide stored in the kitchen. Corrected. Pesticide was removed and discarded.

Sonic Drive-in #3555
706 S Main St
Case of cleaner was stored above single service bags. Corrected.

Sonic Drive-in #3555
706 S Main St
Case of cleaner was stored above single service bags. Corrected.

Sonic Drive-in #3555
706 S Main St
Dishes on the clean dish rack above the fryer machine had an accumulation of grease. Clean dishes were stored on top of trays that were covered in grease. Mustard/ketchup bottles on the clean dish rack were stored on dirty surface. Re-inspection required.

Sonic Drive-in #3555
706 S Main St
The interior of the upright reach-in cooler had an accumulation of food debris on the base near the gasket, bottom & sides. There was dry food debris built-up on the wire racks inside the cooler.
Re-inspection required.

Sonic Drive-in #3555
706 S Main St
Dishes on the clean dish rack above the fryer machine had an accumulation of grease. Clean dishes were stored on top of trays that were covered in grease. Mustard/ketchup bottles on the clean dish rack were stored on dirty surface. Re-inspection required.

Sonic Drive-in #3555
706 S Main St
The interior of the upright reach-in cooler had an accumulation of food debris on the base near the gasket, bottom & sides. There was dry food debris built-up on the wire racks inside the cooler.
Re-inspection required.

Essex of Grain Valley
401 SW Rock Creek Ln
Observed several prepared refrigerated foods were not date marked in the reach in coolers. Corrected. Person in charge marked all food with correct dates.

El Tequilazo Cocina Y Cantina LLC
522 S Main Street
Observed refrigerated, prepared, ready to eat food in the walk-in cooler without date marks. Corrected. All items were marked with correct dates.

Lin's Kitchen
111 SW Eagles Pkwy
Observed several refrigerated prepared and ready to eat food without a date mark in the walk in and reach in coolers. Corrected. All foods were marked with correct dates.

Essex of Grain Valley
401 SW Rock Creek Ln
Observed shelled eggs and raw meats stored above ready to eat prepared foods. Corrected.

El Tequilazo Cocina Y Cantina LLC
522 S Main Street
Observed fuzzy build up on produce in the walk in cooler. Corrected. Produce was discarded.


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Jackson County Food Inspection Report

11/24/2022

 
​Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 7 days:
 
Captain's Sports Lounge       
301 SW Eagles Pkwy   
Sanitizing solution was too weak. Re-inspection required. Manager will manually mix sanitizing solution until the auto-mixer can be repaired.
 
Casey's General Store #2209
1251 SW Eagles Pkwy
Observed toxin stored hanging above make table. Corrected. All bottles were removed.

MO Country                
401 E South Outer Belt Rd    
Chemical dish sanitizing machine did not test for proper concentration of chlorine. Re-inspection required.


Captain's Sports Lounge       
301 SW Eagles Pkwy  
Employee was observed touching food bare handed at the bar. Corrected. Employee remade drink. Tongs were found to use for fruit at the bar.
Food prepared on site was held over 7 days. Corrected. Food was discarded.
Captain's Sports Lounge         301 SW Eagles Pkwy    Multiple containers were not date marked. Corrected. Food was date marked if the cook knew the date it was cooked. All other food was discarded.

MO Country                
401 E South Outer Belt Rd    
Containers of chicken held over 24 hours were not date marked. Corrected. Manager date marked the containers.


Subway     
109 W Hwy AA            
The front reach in cooler is at 57*F and all product has been discarded. Re-inspection required.


Temp-Stop #117        
723 S Main St              
Observed shelled eggs stored above ready to eat foods, and observed raw grilled chicken stored above pasteurized eggs. Corrected. All foods were moved around to allow proper separation.


Captain's Sports Lounge       
301 SW Eagles Pkwy  
Employee was observed cleaning tables and then preparing food without washing their hands. Corrected through discussion.
 
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Jackson County waives online convenience and electronic check fees for property tax payments for third year

11/23/2022

 
    Jackson County has announced it is again waiving the online convenience and electronic check (ACH) fees for this year’s property tax payments.
     The fees will be waived now through December 31, 2022 for those who pay their property taxes online through County’s official portal myJacksonCounty. Residents are strongly encouraged to pay online to avoid long wait times in person due to limited staffing at the downtown County Courthouse and Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence.
     “One of our many priorities is to provide a safe and easy way for residents to conduct business with us and waiving these fees is an effective way to do that,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. “I encourage everyone to take advantage of this opportunity by making their payment using our contactless online system.”
     “We have made the decision to waive the $2.00 convenience fee and $1.25 ACH fee within myJacksonCounty to incentivize our residents to pay online,” Department of Collection Director Whitney Miller said. “myJacksonCounty is an incredibly user friendly and secure way to pay your property taxes, all without having to leave the house. Online credit card payments will still incur a 2.75% fee.” 
 
How to pay Jackson County property taxes online:
  • Visit payments.jacksongov.org
  • Create an account or continue as guest
  • Link account and search by name, address or property account number
  • View and pay your bills
  • Print or digitally store your receipts
 
Other contactless payment options:
     Exterior drop boxes for property tax payments are located at the west door of the Jackson County Courthouse in Kansas City (415 E. 12th St.) and at the south door of the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence (112 W. Lexington).
 
     Taxpayers can also mail their payment to the address on their bill. Payments must be received, or USPS postmarked by December 31 to avoid penalty.
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Good News: Jackson County Parks + Rec presents 7th Annual “Trip the Light Fantastic” Bike Ride

11/3/2022

 
     The popular “Trip the Light Fantastic” Bike Ride thru Christmas in the Park is planned for Sunday, November 20th. Cycling enthusiasts will enjoy a magical 4.5-mile ride up to and through the more than 200 lighted, animated displays that make up Jackson County’s 35th Annual Christmas in the Park. The course is open to ride from 6:00 – 7:00 pm. Lights and helmets are required for this night ride.
     “We invite you to light and decorate your bike for this one-of-a-kind ride celebrating 35 years of Christmas in the Park,” Jackson County Parks + Rec Director Michele Newman said. “You will be in awe of our 200 displays and more than 1 million lights and we can’t wait for you to experience it.”
     At the finish line, cyclists will enjoy complimentary coffee and hot chocolate at Gusto Coffee Bistro and photos with Santa compliments of the Bicycle Shack. Parental discretion is advised for riders under the age of 10 as the course can be dark and hilly in places. Headlights and helmets are required for this night ride.
      “Trip the Light Fantastic” is a free event. Pre-registration is not required. 
     Since its opening in 1987, millions of patrons have made a drive through Jackson County’s Christmas in The Park part of their annual holiday experience. Christmas in the Park is open nightly from November 23 through December 31 at Longview Lake Park, located two miles south of I-470 off View High Drive.
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Photo credit: Jackson County Parks + Rec
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Jackson County Food Inspection Report

11/2/2022

 
​Jackson County Public Works Environmental Health Division inspects all restaurants, grocery stores, schools, mobile food and temporary food establishments in the City of Grain Valley. The following violations were reported in the last 7 days:
 
Sonic Drive-in #3555
706 S Main St
Case of cleaner was stored above single service bags. Corrected.
The interior of the upright reach-in cooler had an accumulation of food debris on the base near the gasket, bottom & sides.  There was dry food debris built-up on the wire racks inside the cooler.
Re-inspection required.
Dishes on the clean dish rack above the fryer machine had an accumulation of grease.  Clean dishes were stored on top of trays that were covered in grease. Mustard/ketchup bottles on the clean dish rack were stored on dirty surface.  Re-inspection required.
 
Comfort Inn
210 NW Jefferson St
Observed precooked sausage links pulled from freezer and thawing in the fridge without date marks. Corrected. Manager marked sausage with correct date.
 
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Jackson County to host Vendor Diversity Outreach Forum

10/27/2022

 
     Jackson County will host its first-ever Vendor Diversity Outreach Forum on Thursday, October 27, 2022 from 5:30pm– 7:00pm at JE Dunn Construction, 1001 Locust ST, KCMO. This free event will show how easy it is to do business with the County, with a specific focus on increasing awareness of contract opportunities for minority, women and veteran-owned business enterprises, trade partners, suppliers and vendors.
     There will be information and resources, including the opportunity for businesses to network and get answers to their questions. All interested businesses should RSVP their attendance to communications@jacksongov.org. A flyer is attached to share with your networks in an effort to encourage participation.
     “We are proud of the progress we have made to increase our ability to engage with more diverse businesses, specifically through the launch of a new software system that improves efficiency, transparency and communication in our available contracts,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said. “This forum is a chance for our minority, women and veteran business owners to see that first-hand in an effort to strengthen relationships, create job opportunities and build economic equity in our community.”
     “Our diversity-owned businesses bring significant value to our community and it has always been a priority of mine to ensure they are educated on our procurement practices to successfully compete in the marketplace,” 2nd District Jackson County Legislator Ron Finley said. “I am excited about the connections, guidance and support this forum will provide them as part of the County’s ongoing commitment to fairness, equity and inclusion.”

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Jackson County Assessor's Office holding community meeting October 20th in Grain Valley

10/13/2022

 
The Jackson County Assessment Department is holding its sixth community meeting in Grain Valley at the Grain Valley Community Center, 713 Main, on Thursday, October 20th from 5:30 - 7:00pm. The County has hosted the series of community meetings in an effort to help homeowners better understand the department and assessment process. 
     Topics will include the functions of the Assessment Department and its new technology, information about the levy process and the role of the County Collector, understanding your assessment notice and property tax bill, as well as the County's parcel by parcel review. 

     For more information, visit: Assessment Community Meeting 10-20-2022 - Jackson County MO (jacksongov.org) 
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