Jackson County MIGHT Refuse To Swear In New Legislators

Another life lesson for today . . .

HISTORIC VICTORY EARNED BY CANDIDATES IN JACKSON COUNTY MIGHT BE TAINTED BY LEGAL QUESTIONS OVER SCHOOL BOARD SERVICE!!!

As we've noted . . .

This one REALLY doesn't excite us but the deets are important nevertheless . . .

First and foremost . . . Serving on two elected bodies isn't uncommon throughout Missouri & Kansas. 

However . . .

Insiders remind us that Jackson County has a "First Class" charter and so their rules do not often align with other municipalities across the state.

Accordingly . . .

Legal debate threatens to thwart upcoming celebrations.

As always, here's the word . . .

"The 3 school board members who are county legislators — Megan Marshall, DaRon McGee and Manny Abarca — MIGHT not be sworn in next week by the County Clerk because of a conflict of interest between the Board of Equalization’s school board representation of the school districts and their elected spot on the legislature (that’s the reason the County is giving). 

"The school districts get county income from the taxes that the County disperses and the BOE actually hears the appeals to set the tax assessments."

"We shall see if this happens."

Here's a bit more about the legal debate behind the scenes . . .

"It’s unclear how soon a court will make a ruling. The judge assigned to the case set a hearing for March 24 and then recused herself on Tuesday and asked the presiding judge of the 16th Circuit Court to select someone else to hear it. Then on Thursday, the entire bench of the 16th Circuit recused itself, meaning a judge from another county will hear the case."

In the final analysis  . . . It's safe to say that we're all waiting on this ruling that threatens to impact biz as usual for the courthouse going forward.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

New members of Jackson County Legislature also serve on school boards. Is that legal?

The Jackson County charter says county legislators must not serve two masters. To be a member of the county's governing body, legislators must resign from any other elective office they hold. Voters in November chose six newcomers to fill seats on the nine-member legislature.

UPDATE: MEGAN MARSHALL RECENTLY RESIGNED FROM LEE'S SUMMIT SCHOOL BOARD.

Developing . . .