Residents may dispose of unwanted items and household hazardous waste during the City Wide Clean Up event and Jackson County's Household Hazardous Waste mobile event, both scheduled for Saturday, June 3rd.

On Saturday, June 3rd, the City of Grain Valley will be hosting a City-Wide Clean Up Event from 8:00am - 2:00pm at the Public Works Facility on James Rollo Drive.
Grain Valley residents may drop off:
- Mattresses
- Old/unwanted furniture
- Metal
- Lawn Mowers (all fluids must be drained)
- Home decor
- Mirrors
- Scrap wood & similar items
All loose items must be bagged up.

Residents may also drop off household hazardous waste at a separate event hosted from 8:00am - Noon (or until trucks are full) on Saturday, June 3rd at Jackson County Public Works, 34900 E. Old Highway 40. 

For more information on the Household Hazardous Waste event and items accepted, visit Household Hazardous Waste Mobile Collection – Eastern Jackson County – RecycleSpot. 

Jackson County Parks + Rec’s Sand Cinema will present Minions: The Rise of Gru on the giant inflatable movie screen at Longview Lake Beach on Friday, June 9.
 
Gates will open at 7:30 p.m. with the movie scheduled to begin at approximately 9:00 p.m. or once it’s dark. Admission is $10 per car. Families are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs for seating. No swimming or outside food, drink or pets are allowed. Concessions are available for visitors to enjoy.
 
Minions: The Rise of Gru is the first of three beachfront family features this summer. The Sand Cinema schedule for summer 2023 at Longview Lake Beach is as follows, weather permitting:

• Friday, July 7: Puss in Boots: The Last Wish
• Friday, August 4: Disney Pixar’s Lightyear

 
“This Princess Life” will be on-site with complimentary character photos before each movie. It’s important to note that Longview Lake Beach will close at 6:00 p.m. on Sand Cinema movie nights to allow staff time to set up.
 
Longview Lake Beach is located at 11101 Raytown Road, just two miles south of I-470. For more information and to stay up-to-date on upcoming events, visit www.makeyourdayhere.com/events.

Enjoy a day filled with period music, dancing, food, crafts, games and more at the Missouri Town Spring Jamboree on Saturday, June 3 from 9:00am – 4:30pm at the Missouri Town Living History Museum, 8010 East Park Road, Lee’s Summit, MO.

Visitors of all ages will experience the work, play and daily life of Victorian children. Living history interpreters will guide activities to include lessons in the one-room schoolhouse, working the garden, competing in whistle and racing competitions, kitemaking, period children’s games, an 1850s photo booth, and caring for heritage-breed livestock.

Admission is $8/adults, $4/children ages 5-13, $4/seniors 62+, and children under 4 are free. 

For more information, visit Missouri Town Living History Museum Jackson County MO Parks + Rec (makeyourdayhere.com). 

     After three months of maneuvering, three failed votes and four different versions of the same legislation, the Jackson County Legislature on Monday voted unanimously to become the first county government in Missouri to ban anti-LGBT conversion therapy.
     The ordinance, effective immediately, prohibits any practice or treatment that seeks to change a minor’s sexual orientation or gender identity. It specifically exempts “counseling that provides support and assistance to a person undergoing gender transition.”
     Although the final vote was unanimous, the conversion therapy ban has been a source of conflict among local government officials, including the legislators themselves, as well as Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. and Kansas City’s LGBTQ Commission.
     From failed amendments and surprise abstensions during votes to a heated county legislature meeting, the road to the new ban has been tumultuous.
     So why was it so difficult for the county legislature to pass the ban, and what were the roadblocks that stood in its way?
Kansas City LGBTQ Commission has been calling for a ban for months
     Kansas City’s LGBTQ Commission first called on the Jackson County Legislature to ban conversion therapy nearly three months ago, on Jan. 9. An ordinance was introduced later that month by Jalen Anderson, Manny Abarca, Sean Smith and Jeanie Lauer.
     After not seeing any progress on the ordinance, the commission published another letter in February demanding action.
     The reason for the delay, Abarca said, was because legislators wanted to strengthen the enforcement mechanism in the ordinance. People convicted of violating the ordinance are now subject to a $500 fine and the county will not contract with any agency that employs someone who has been convicted of this crime.
     The ordinance’s sponsors met with the LGBTQ Commission, state legislators and county officials to figure out how best to ban conversion therapy with meaningful enforcement without sparking retaliation from the Missouri legislature.
     After a public hearing on March 16, Ordinance 5711 arrived on the floor of the county legislature on March 20. At the meeting, Anderson shared his own traumatic experience with conversion therapy as a child.
     But to the shock of community activists and the legislators themselves, the ordinance failed by one vote. “Disgraceful,” Anderson said at the meeting. “This entire body, disgraceful.”
     Smith, who had attempted to amend the ordinance three times, voted no. DaRon McGee, the legislature’s chairman, abstained, along with Venessa Huskey and Donna Peyton.
     “My reasoning was merely because I felt it was necessary to have some kind of notification attached to the ban,” Peyton said.
     McGee and Huskey have not shared the reasons for their abstention votes. 
     Justice Horn, chair of the Kansas City LGBTQ Commission, said that some of the legislators who voted no or abstained voiced concerns about whether it could negatively affect their constituents.
     The legislators “called me and said, ‘I have people who are worried this is going to impact them,’” Horn said. “And I finally said, ‘If they think this is going to impact them, they need to look in the mirror. They’re not the victims. If they’re going to be put out, I don’t care.’”

Two more ordinances, both doomed to fail 
     After the legislature failed to pass the ban, County Executive White promised to light the county courthouse in rainbow colors until the legislature took action.
     “I am disappointed that the Jackson County Legislature failed to send a clear message today that LGBTQ+ youth should be valued, respected and treated with the same dignity that every human being deserves,” White wrote in a statement that evening.
     Abarca said the ordinance likely failed because there was not enough discussion among legislators to garner support before the March 20 meeting.
     “It was introduced very raw, without the discussions being done that needed to be had, and then passion filled in the void and egos got into the mix,” Abarca said. “The building got lit up by the county executive, who hadn’t played any real part in this throughout the entire process. So it became kind of contentious.”
     The following week, three new versions of the conversion therapy ban were introduced at the March 27 meeting, including a motion to reconsider the ordinance that had already been rejected.
     This included Ordinance 5726 and Ordinance 5728, sponsored by Abarca, which included a provision requiring the county to notify conversion therapy providers of the ban, as well as an effective date 90 days after the ordinance’s passage. 
     Ordinance 5726 was sent to committee, while legislators debated whether the notification requirement in Ordinance 5728 would prevent the county from effectively enforcing the ban. Abarca said during the meeting that he was not responsible for adding the 90-day effective date and asked who added it to the legislation — but none of the other legislators took responsibility.
     The legislature “was trying to wash copies and strip out certain components, and it ended up being something that none of us liked,” Abarca said.
     Both ordinances were voted down. And despite unanimous support for banning conversion therapy, every legislator voted “no” or abstained on at least one version of the ordinance.
     At the following meeting on April 3, the legislature withdrew the compromise ordinances from the previous week and voted unanimously to pass the conversion therapy ban. The version that ultimately passed, Ordinance 5731, was nearly identical to the first version that had been introduced — and rejected — two weeks earlier.
     The legislature also passed a resolution to allocate $4,000 for the purpose of publishing a notice that the conversion therapy ban had been adopted.
​
Next steps
    Abarca said the sponsors had to be very aware throughout the process of drafting the ordinance that the county’s priorities are dramatically different from measures under consideration in Jefferson City.
     Bills filed in the Missouri legislature would forcibly halt the transition of transgender youth or criminalize loosely defined “drag performances” outside of age-restricted venues. Other states have proposed removing trans children from affirming families.
     The Republican-dominated state legislature can use measures such as preemption laws to upend local laws and ordinances that its members don’t like. But Abarca said he and other county legislators don’t plan to back down when faced with state legislation targeting queer and trans people.
     “This isn’t the only issue we’re going to start picking fights on,” Abarca said. “There’s more to come, without a doubt.”
      Abarca said he and other progressive county legislators were looking forward to the adjournment of the Missouri legislative session in May.
     “May is really close. If we get through that, we can do a lot more here,” Abarca said. “And I think there are several of us, Mr. Anderson being one of them, who are pondering what more progressive things we can do now, and at least enact those laws for six months before the legislature starts again.”
​

     In its 46th year, Jacomo Summer Camp is inviting campers 6-11 to "take the plunge" and discover the fun of summer camp. The camp is located at the Kemper Outdoor Education Center, a 40-acre site nestled in the Fleming Park Nature Preserve on the east side of Lake Jacomo.
     Campers ages 6-11 may attend one or all 10 one-week sessions of camp, offered June 5 through August 11, 9:00 a.m. to 3:45 p.m., Monday through Friday. Extended hours are also available.
     Weekly activities include swimming, kayaking, fishing, archery, hiking, nature study, arts and crafts, a visit to one of Jackson County’s beautiful beaches, and weekly themed field trips. 
     The cost for regular hours is $185/week; extended hours are $220/week. Online registration begins at 12:00am on April 3rd. To register, visit  www.makeyourdayhere.com/daycamp

     The Jackson County, Missouri Assessor’s Office will host four community meetings in coming weeks where property owners can learn more about the county’s property assessment process. A representative from the Assessor’s Office will be present at each meeting to share information and to answer questions about the following:

• Functions of the Assessment Department and new technology
• Information on the levy process and the role of the County Collector
• What the market is doing and where it is going this year
• Parcel by parcel review
• Assessment appeal process and reasons why a property owner may apply
• 
  

The meeting schedule is listed below.

• 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 22 at the Mid-Continent Public Library – Colbern Road located at 1000 NE Colbern Rd., in Lee’s Summit
• 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Monday, March 27 at the Morningstar youth & Family Life Center located at 2525 E 27th St., in Kansas City
• 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Wednesday, March 29 at the Fleming Meeting Hall located at 21906 SW Woods Chapel Rd., in Blue Springs
• 5:30 p.m.-7 p.m., Wednesday, April 5 at the Mid-Continent Public Library – North Independence located at 317 W 24 HWY in Independence

     In Missouri, assessments are completed every other year, on the odd-numbered years. Property owners in the state should receive their Market Value Notice around mid-April. Taxing authorities in the county, not the assessor, are responsible for setting and adjusting tax rates. Taxing authorities include school boards, fire districts, water districts, libraries, cities, counties, junior colleges, and various funds – including the mental health fund, disabled services fund, and blind pension. Jackson County receives approximately 7 cents of every of tax dollar, while the remaining 93 cents of every tax dollar go to the taxing authorities.
     For more information, visit jacksongov.org/Government/Departments/Assessment.

     County offices at the Jackson County Historic Truman Courthouse, 112 W. Lexington Avenue, Independence, will be closed for the remainder of this week due to ongoing repairs to resolve a plumbing issue that caused the restrooms to be unusable. The County expects to reopen the building to the public on Monday, March 13 at 8:00 a.m.
     The Assessment, Recorder of Deeds and Collection departments have offices inside the Historic Truman Courthouse. Residents who need to conduct business with these departments are encouraged to go online at www.jacksongov.org or visit the Jackson County Courthouse at 415 East 12th Street in downtown Kansas City.
​     This closure does not impact the 16th Circuit Court or County Municipal Court, both of which operate from the Eastern Jackson County Courthouse located at 308 West Kansas Avenue in Independence.
     The County will provide additional updates on its website and social media platforms.

     The 2023 Jackson County budget (Ordinance 5701), approved by the Legislature on January 30th, was signed into law on February 8th, with County Executive Frank White, Jr. issuing a press release to explain a series of line-item vetoes made to the budget. 
     “Members of the budget committee have said publicly that they prioritized life in their amended budget, but that’s difficult for me and the community to believe when, at the last minute, they cut millions of dollars in essential projects, programs and people,” White said. “I have a responsibility to do what’s right and truly provide a better, more equitable quality of life for all county residents and that is the reason for my actions today.”
     White pointed to more than two dozen programs the Legislature amended, reduced or eliminated in the 2023 budget, including Our Healthy KC Eastside, Jackson County Reproductive Equity Fund, Westside Neighborhood community improvements, and free veteran admission at Liberty Memorial. 
     “I am committed to working with the Legislature to fix the foreseeable harm that Ordinance 5701 has caused and will cause Jackson County,” White said. “It is important for the community, county associates and County Legislature to know that I remain committed to the priorities we have outlined and I will not move forward until Our Healthy KC Eastside, the Jackson County Reproductive Equity Fund, Westside Community Improvements and other arbitrary, capricious and politically motivated cuts are restored.”
     White reduced budget increases for new staff positions, salary increases for new and returning staff, increased car allowances, lobbyists, lawyers and travel expenses. White stated the reductions would not jeopardize any existing staff positions or defund programs or projects that have previously been approved by the County Legislature. 
     White also objected to funding for outside agencies due to the lack of a competitive process, stating "such actions are in conflict with county policies, past practices and the current award process as outlined on the county legislative auditor’s website."
     Additionally, the Jackson County Counselor’s Office determined that the County Legislature lacks the legal authority to increase the appropriation of the Health Fund. White used his line-item veto authority to reduce the appropriation to bring the budget back into compliance.
​
     County Executive White’s full signing statement of Ordinance 5701 is provided below as well as his 29 line-item vetoes and a legal memorandum from the Jackson County Counselor’s Office.

​     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.

     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.