​     Jackson County issued a new health order on January 13th, amending dining restrictions for bars and restaurants.
     Under the new health order, Jackson County bars and restaurants will be allowed to serve food and alcohol until midnight with a hard exit for all patrons at 12:30am. All other provisions related to indoor dining remain in effect. 
     The new order takes effect at 12:01 am Thursday, January 14, 2021 and does not apply to businesses in the cities of Kansas City, Missouri or Independence.
     The new health order relaxes guidance from a previous order issued in November 2020 that required bars and restaurants to close at 10:00 p.m. due to a resurgence of COVID-19 cases in Jackson County.
“Let me be clear – our situation has not improved over the past two months. COVID-19 cases are up, our 14-day percent positive remains high as well as hospital capacity,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said.
     “However, to remain consistent with neighboring jurisdictions, lessen confusion among residents and create fairness for Eastern Jackson County businesses, we have decided to move forward in this manner. It is still dangerous to gather in large groups, so I urge residents to remain vigilant in their efforts to prevent the spread of the virus.”
Residents and businesses with questions about the new health order should contact the Jackson County Health Department by phone at (816) 404-9883 or via email at  COVID19@tmcmed.org.
 

     The Jackson County Health Department (JACOHD) has received its first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Vaccination clinics began January 6th.    
     JACOHD is following the state of Missouri’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. The state is currently in Phase 1A of distribution, which focuses on long-term care facility residents and staff as well as patient-facing healthcare workers.
     This week’s appointments were made available to those who are in Phase 1A who filled out the department’s COVID-19 vaccine survey tool. These appointment slots have filled up, but more appointments for Phase 1A individuals will be available in the coming weeks.
     JACOHD encourages all individuals who live or work in Jackson County and are interested in receiving the vaccine to fill out the survey. As the vaccine becomes available to future phases, JACOHD will contact individuals who completed the survey with further instructions on scheduling an appointment. The survey may be accessed at buff.ly/34QRYBR .
     The survey asks for contact information, occupation, and pre-existing medical conditions. Responses from the survey will help JACOHD determine which phase of the state’s vaccination plan residents fall under. 
     “This is one way that we can get information out to individuals as quickly as possible,” Jackson County Health Department Director Bridgette Shaffer said. “We know people are looking for information, and we want to provide access to it whenever it becomes available.” 
     When weekly slots open up, appointments are first-come, first-served to each group. Appointments are filling up quickly, and it is recommended that people sign up as quickly as possible to secure their desired time.
     Per the guidance provided by the CDC, Pfizer COVID-19 vaccinations will not be provided to those under the age of 16.
For more information on the vaccine distribution plan, visit https://covidvaccine.mo.gov/.
 

​     Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. announced Sylvya J. Stevenson will serve as the next Chief Administrative Officer for Jackson County. In this leadership role, Stevenson will be responsible for ensuring multiple County activities, programs and policies related to the Executive’s Office are implemented, in addition to providing supervisory support to various county departments.
     “Sylvya is a woman of immense integrity with effective communication, project management, problem solving, and relationship-building skills,” White said.
     “Her determination, enthusiasm and new ideas will be a great addition to our team of forward-thinkers who are committed to improving how our government works. We have a lot of work ahead of us, but I’m excited to welcome Sylvya to Jackson County and look forward to her playing a key role in helping us achieve success.”
     Stevenson brings extensive experience, training and knowledge in local and federal government operations to Jackson County. For the past three years, she has managed multi-million dollar budgets while overseeing the day-to-day budget, finance and accounting activities as a master budget analyst for Criterion Systems/USDA. Stevenson has had proven success supervising multiple teams and implementing projects from planning to operation that improved transparency, enhanced performance and eliminated inefficiencies.
     Prior roles and responsibilities include multiple years of service with the City of Kansas City, Missouri in the Office of Management and Budget and with the City of Mission Hills, Kansas coordinating with special projects as the assistant to the city administrator.
     Stevenson is the founder and president of the National Congress of Black Women, Inc. – Kansas City, in addition to being a member of many other notable professional organizations including the American Society for Public Administration, Centurions Leadership Program, Kansas City Chamber of Commerce, Blacks in Government and the International City/County Management Association.
     Upon completion of her Bachelor of Arts degrees in Political Science and Criminal Justice, Stevenson matriculated to the University of Oklahoma where she earned a master’s degree in Public Administration with a concentration in city management and public policy.
     Stevenson is the ninth woman appointed to an executive leadership position during Executive White's tenure. She is assuming the role as Chief Administrative Officer after the retirement of Ed Stoll in September 2020.
 

     The Office of Missouri State Auditor Nicole Galloway issued a failing grade to Jackson County following an audit concerning County Budgets and Transfers. The audit was requested by Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. in January 2018.
     The audit of County budgets and transfers found the county frequently underestimated fund balances, underestimated revenues and overestimated spending. As a result, county funds have a higher balance than expected and taxpayers do not have a clear understanding of the county's finances.                 
     The poor estimates of beginning and ending fund balances resulted in undesignated fund balances. Instead of following the budget process established by state law, which would require public hearings, the audit found the county legislature improperly transferred these undesignated fund balances. During 2017 and 2018, the county legislature authorized more than $3 million in transfers for use throughout the county. In order to ensure all spending is transparent, the audit recommends the legislature discontinue authorizing these transfers of undesignated fund balances.
     The audit also reviewed the county executive office's use of administrative transfers, which are permitted as long as they do not exceed $10,000. Between 2016 and 2018, the audit found these administrative transfers totaled $10 million and the majority of those that were more closely examined by auditors were completed without proper approval or did not have sufficient documentation or explanation.
     The audit also found that between 2016 and 2018, the county executive approved $3 million in multiple-object-code administrative transfers. In these cases, individual transfers were under the $10,000 threshold, but went towards a single purchase that exceeded $10,000. In these cases, the purchase may have otherwise required legislative approval.
     In 2019, the county consolidated departments into a single fund, which officials say will eliminate the need for similar transfers. The audit recommended county officials review and update the county code to ensure the necessity of administrative transfers.  
    In a November 30th press release, County Executive Frank White, Jr., shared his thoughts on the report.
     “Upon Auditor Galloway’s acceptance of the audit request on April 11, 2018, my administration has fully participated in this process to help her staff complete their scope of work, which included more than one audit report. The third report released today focuses on Jackson County’s Budgets and Transfers,” White said.  
     “While we may disagree with some of the statements or findings, we will continue to work with elected leaders as we review the report to determine if additional changes are necessary. I would like to thank State Auditor Nicole Galloway and her staff, whose hard work will help us in continuing to operate effectively with the utmost transparency and efficiency.”
 

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 30 days:

Papa Murphy’s
1203 Buckner Tarsney Road
Observed multiple handles touching food on the pizza make table. Corrected on site.
Food debris observed inside clean utensil containers. Corrected on site.

Valley Nutrition
201 N Main ST
No violations recorded.

Lin’s Kitchen
11 SW Eagles Parkway
Handwashing sink blocked by multiple items. Correct by 1/1.
Floor around fryer and grill had accumulation of debris. Correct by 1/1.
Back door was propped open. Corrected on site.

America’s Best Value Inn
105 Sunny Lane Drive
No violations recorded.

The Pub & Patio
640 Yennie ST
No violations recorded.
 
Price Chopper Bakery
1191 NE McQuerry Road
Observed ice build up on the condenser in walk-in cooler. Correct by 1/16/2021.
Price Chopper Meat/Seafood
The curtain for the cooler in the meat cutting room had an accumulation of stuck on food debris.
Observed ice build up on the condenser and the floor of the meat freezer. Correct by 1/16/2021.
Price Chopper Starbucks
No violations recorded.
Price Chopper Grocery/Dairy/Produce
No violations recorded.

Dollar General Store
105 E Rock Creek Lane
Three cans were found dented on the sales floor shelves. Corrected.

Canteen Vending/Kohls Distribution Ctr.
2015 NE Jefferson
No violations recorded.

QuikTrip
1110 N Buckner Tarsney Road
No violations recorded.
​
MO Country
401 E South Outer Belt Road
No violations recorded.
 

     The Jackson County Health Department will offer COVID-19 testing at the following sites the week of November 23rd—25th: :
 
Monday, November 23, 2020:
City of Lee’s Summit,
616 NE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit 64081
This is a drive-thru clinic.
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202933414559155
Tuesday, November 24, 2020:
The View Community Center, 13500 Byars Road, Grandview
This will be a walk-in clinic. Limited individuals will be allowed in the facility at one time due to social distancing protocol. Clients may be required to wait outdoors under covering. Please dress appropriately.
Register: https://form.jotform.com/203095492043149
Wednesday, November 25, 2020: 
Vesper Hall, 400 NW Vesper ST, Blue Springs
This will be a walk-in clinic. 
Limited individuals will be allowed in the facility at one time due to social distancing protocol. Clients may be required to wait outdoors under covering. Please dress appropriately. Register: https://form.jotform.com/202946069499168
     Please note: results will be delayed due to the Thanksgiving holiday.
     Pre-registration is not required but highly encouraged. Due to increased demand, openings for walk-ins are not guaranteed.
 

​
     In response to rising COVID-19 rates in the area, Jackson County and Wyandotte County in Kansas issued a joint statement outlining a new health order, lowering capacity at businesses and restrict gatherings to ten (10) or fewer people. This new Order will go into effect at 12:01am on Friday, November 20, 2020, and will remain in effect until it is extended, rescinded, replaced, or amended.
     "Let me be clear, we are currently experiencing uncontrolled spread of COVID-19 in our communities. Due to the dramatically increasing rate of the disease in our community, our hospitals have warned that they are facing a breaking point and the care their patients desperately rely upon may soon have to be rationed, if not worse,” Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. said.
     “Along with doctors from across the metro area, our public health professionals have urged us to implement dramatic, but targeted, changes to our public health orders in an attempt to ‘flatten the curve.’ These changes are not being made lightly, but instead were made because we have been convinced that they are necessary to protect the safety and welfare of our residents.”

     The Order is in response to a strong resurgence of recent COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations in Jackson County, Missouri and Wyandotte County, Kansas.
 
     Unless otherwise noted in the Order, the following Public Gatherings, are restricted:
·         Entertainment venues including auditoriums; arenas; banquet halls; cinemas; conference centers; concert halls; performance venues; sporting venues; stadiums; and theaters;
·         Recreational facilities and places of public amusement, including  gyms, fitness, and recreational centers, amusement parks; arcades; bingo halls; bowling alleys; casinos; night clubs; skating rinks; adult entertainment clubs; water parks; and trampoline parks; parties, informal gatherings, lectures, meetings, parades, fairs, festivals, sporting events, and performances
 
     Such public gatherings must limit the number of individuals (staff and customers) in the facility, building or room to 50 percent of the lowest occupancy load on the certificate of occupancy of the facility, building or room (whichever is lower) in which the gathering is occurring and is only permissible:
·         If adequate social distancing of six feet or more can be maintained. If such social distancing cannot be maintained due to facility layout, the occupancy limit should be further reduced to allow for proper distancing.
·         Masks or face coverings must be worn at all times.
·         Proper Personal Protective Equipment (such as masks and hand sanitizer) must be utilized.
 
     Restaurants, taverns, and all other such venues serving food and/or drink indoors, including public, private, or membership-only venues, shall limit the number of occupants to no more than 50 percent of building occupancy, and shall close no later than 10:00pm.
·         Indoor patrons must be seated and masked at all times except when actively eating or drinking;
·         Indoor and outdoor parties are limited to eight (8) or fewer persons; and
·         Parties shall be spaced with no less than six feet of distance between themselves and individuals from any other parties.
 
Other large public gatherings of people in Jackson County are prohibited.
·         Large public gatherings are those with more than ten (10) people in attendance or anticipated to attend, both indoor and outdoor, except for governmental and judicial functions, healthcare facilities, private business or retail operations, religious and faith-based activities, weddings and funerals. A "gathering" does not include normal operations at spaces where persons may be in transit or coming and going individually or in groups of less than ten (10) persons.
 

​     With the holidays fast approaching, the magic of the season comes to life starting Wednesday, November 25th at Jackson County Parks + Rec’s 33rd Annual Christmas in the Park drive-thru holiday event.
     This free, magical winter wonderland includes 175 lighted and animated displays illuminated by more than 500,000 lights.  
 
     “Every year we add something new to the Christmas in the Park experience,” Jackson County Parks + Rec Director Michele Newman said. “This year, we’ve added an additional two nights, a 25-foot Santa at the BBQ grill – fitting for the BBQ Capitol of the World – and an expanded entrance tunnel experience, programmed to a sequence of dazzling colors and effects, to a spectacular 100 feet!”
     While there is no charge for this drive-thru event, voluntary exit donations are accepted with a portion of the proceeds divided among 39 local charities. Thanks to the generosity of Christmas in the Park patrons, Jackson County has been able to donate over $1.2 million to more than 1,000 local charities, including the FOX4 Love Fund, since the event’s inception.
     The drive begins at the Frank White, Jr. Softball Complex, 3901 SW Longview Road (2 miles south of 1-470 off of View High Drive). The display is open Sunday – Thursday from 5:30pm – 10:00pm and Friday – Saturday from 5:30pm – 11:00pm.
 

​     The Jackson County Health Department will offer COVID-19 testing at the following sites the week of November 9th—11th:
 
Monday, November 9, 2020:
City of Lee’s Summit,
616 NE Douglas St., Lee’s Summit 64081
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202933986322157
Tuesday, November 10, 2020:
10020 E. 66th Terrace, Raytown 64133. This is a drive through clinic—no walk-ins will be taken this day.
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202955113765154
Wednesday, November 11, 2020: 
Independence- Uptown Farmers Market- 211 W Truman Rd., Independence MO This will be a walk-in clinic. 
     Limited individuals will be allowed in the facility at one time due to social distancing protocol. Clients may be required to wait outdoors under covering. Please dress appropriately. : https://form.jotform.com/202945418526156
     Pre-registration is not required but highly encouraged. Due to increased demand, openings for walk-ins are not guaranteed.
 
Drive Thru Flu Clinics at the Health Department, located at 313. S Liberty St., Independence :
 
Friday November 13th       
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202755824406153
Friday November 20th
Register: https://form.jotform.com/202755905403150
 
     Pre-registration is not required but highly encouraged. Openings for walk-ins are not guaranteed.
     Clients will be billed $15-30 based on their insurance coverage.
 
 
 

     The Recorder of Deeds office at Jackson County’s Historic Truman Courthouse, located at 112 W. Lexington Avenue in Independence, will be closed for the remainder of this week due to a County employee testing positive for COVID-19.
     Residents who need to conduct business with the Recorder of Deeds office are encouraged to:
     Go Online at www.jacksongov.org;
     Call (816) 881-3191;
     Visit a surrounding county office for a 
     Missouri marriage license.
 
     The County emphasizes the closure does not impact the Assessment and Collection departments, both of which have offices inside the Historic Truman Courthouse and remain open to serve those who need in-person assistance.
     The County will provide any additional updates on its website and social media platforms.