What Jackson County Legislature candidates say on property taxes, services & more

Missouri voters will have the chance to cast a ballot on Nov. 8, or earlier — anyone can vote in-person absentee for this election starting on Oct. 25. Voters will decide on five ballot questions and numerous races from the federal down to the county level of government. Kansas City voters will decide on two city questions too.

Below are links to candidates’ responses to The Star’s survey from those running for Jackson County Legislature.

And here is a link to all of the Missouri races on the ballot for voters around Kansas City, and to candidates running for state legislature from Jackson County districts.

If you’re not sure, you can look up your voter information to see which district you live in, and where your polling site is.

How the voter guide works:

Click on the race you are curious about, and you’ll go to a page with candidates’ responses. There, you can use the jump menu to get to a specific race or district.

Any candidates that do not have answers below their names did not respond to the survey. Our team at The Star contacted campaigns multiple times via both email and phone calls over the past month.

If you are a candidate and would like to get in touch with us and submit responses still, you can email us at kcq@kcstar.com. Voters will continue using this tool all the way through election day.

A note on editing and fact-checking

Some survey responses were very lightly edited for grammar, but the substance of the responses were not edited at all and are the candidates’ own words. The Star did not fact-check all of the candidates’ responses.

If you are concerned about misinformation or would like to learn more about some of the issues referenced in candidates’ responses, we wanted to include this past story about how to spot misinformation: How to tell if a politician is lying? A scholar who studies what they say has some advice.

County Executive

Theresa Cass Galvin, Republican

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

We should manage the tax impacts for our residents by improving the property reassessment process. This should be accomplished in a fair and equitable manner. I will work with local and state officials to reduce the tax burden for seniors, veterans and people of lower and fixed incomes. We will do this while balancing the fundamental need to fund critical services throughout the county.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

I value our relationships with the local communities of Jackson County and will work together to improve our countywide services. We must not only maintain our existing infrastructure but begin to proactively build new roads and bridges in underserved and growing areas of the county. Improved infrastructure will generate economic activity and jobs. It is critical to support local businesses, civic and neighborhood organizations in creating and sustaining small businesses throughout the county. Helping small businesses will provide employment and in turn reduce crime and mental health issues.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

We need to prioritize development in areas of the county that have lacked capital investment in the past. We must support projects and organizations that focus investment dollars to underserved areas while avoiding projects that are unsustainable long term. We must encourage development while balancing the needs of all our local stakeholders including our schools. As many people with young families move to Jackson County for employment and educational opportunities, new development projects are needed to provide sustainable neighborhoods. We must encourage development while respecting the needs of areas residents and be responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

Unfortunately, our crime rate in Jackson County is increasing. I believe providing programs in the new detention center which address mental health, drug and alcohol addiction, job training and education will provide detainees the tools necessary to become productive citizens of the community once released. Providing these programs is our opportunity to assist in the reduction of crime and the recidivism rate.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

I believe Joe Biden is our president. What it comes down to is that citizens on both sides of the aisle deserve fair and honest elections. Election integrity is an important issue and should not be limited to federal elections, but all elections. We all deserve fair elections that we can trust when we go to cast our vote. The 2020 election has already been decided, if investigators come out and say otherwise, we’ll cross that bridge if it happens. I think more importantly we need to move forward thinking about how we can prevent that kind of controversy in the future.

Campaign website: www.TheresaCassGalvin.com

Frank White, Jr., Democrat

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

No, the county under my leadership has been able to support a large number of projects and programs which benefit children, seniors, working families, and small businesses without going to the voters for an increase in any taxes including property taxes.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

My administration has always focused on putting people first, and we are continually working toward providing a great customer experience. We will continue to invest in new technologies that make doing business easier and better for everyone. We strive to consistently and equitably deliver services to people in all parts of the county.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

It is important that we are intentional about the projects we put county resources behind. We are committed to supporting projects in historically underserved communities, with a particular focus on projects that provide affordable housing and projects that help children, seniors, working families and small businesses.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

Due to recent Supreme Court decision, Jackson County must become more active and engaged in supporting women’s ability to make their own health care choices and protecting their freedom to do so. We must find ways to support women that are forced to travel out of state for the care they choose in consultation with their personal doctor. I will continue to stand up and fight for women and their freedom to choose what is best for themselves and their lives.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Yes. One of the hallmarks of our democracy is the orderly transition of our government. On Jan. 6 that was threatened. Regardless of your political persuasion, we must always uphold our democratic principles and the will of the people’s vote.

Campaign website: www.CitizensForFrankWhite.com

District 1 At-large

Bill E. Kidd, Republican

After numerous attempts to contact via email and phone over a span of more than two weeks, Bill E. Kidd did not respond to The Star’s request to complete the candidate survey.

Campaign website: twitter.com/billkiddformo

Jalen Anderson, Democrat

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

Under the law, the county must follow state statute. However, I believe the legislature must work with the state to change the laws on how each county deals with property taxes. A more individualized approach so that we can evaluate the tax burden on our constituents. Let the county electeds decide, not the state.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

The county should have the most up-to-date technology and quickest and efficient responses to our constituents. Whether that is infrastructure, property taxes, personal information, etc., I will continue my work to make this government more accessible to its people.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

Projects that invest in our communities and keep the tax dollars here in our county. Projects that will bring more diversity into our communities and grow our communities for the better.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

Create a 12-month payment program for taxpayers to pay toward their property taxes. Having folks try to pay their taxes all at once at the end of the year is not right. It puts a strain on our families when it should be a time of celebration for the holidays.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Yes, I wholeheartedly believe that the 2020 election was fair. President Joe Biden is our president. The Jan. 6 insurrection was one of the worst days in our nation’s history. Everyone who was involved should be prosecuted to the fullest extant of the law for treason.

Campaign website: www.facebook.com/JaCoAtLarge1

District 2 At-large

John J. Murphy, Republican

After numerous attempts to contact via email and phone over a span of more than two weeks, John J. Murphy did not respond to The Star’s request to complete the candidate survey.

Campaign website: www.facebook.com/groups/1555177921360889/user/100003049519769/

Donna Peyton, Democrat

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

Property taxes should be a fair and equitable valuation. We must have a system that protects our seniors and low-income residents. Together, through our taxes, fund our schools, fire districts, our water and library districts. The importance of our property taxes impact the quality of schools, which build quality growing communities. Together, our taxes directly impact the direct services we provide. Property taxes should enhance and improve the quality of life for residents. I propose working with the state to develop protections allowing for valuations no greater than 50-60%, as opposed to 90%. Additionally important is an accessible appeal process.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

Identify ways to work in partnership throughout the county to improve infrastructure. Joint projects such as the Marlboro Bridge and along 135th Street are evidence of the success of such partnerships. Areas such as, Levasy and Sibley count on the county for improvements and should continue to do so. There are also areas that serve our county and our cities where we can look to add value, such as along Truman Road and 40 Highway. Another area of concern is our partnering with our cities to improve mental health services.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

New development should prioritize what adds the most value to our county and its future. Responsible use of incentives will always create new jobs and future economic growth, and when done right lead to better tax revenues for our schools, roads, and services than if we didn’t do the development. I would also say something about how we need to make sure that any development we are doing that is publicly-financed or receiving incentives prioritizes good paying, local jobs filled by people from our metro and not from out-of-town contractors.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

I would like our Legislature and our legislative meetings to be more available to residents. I would recommend scheduling our meetings at a time that allows more residents to attend. Our public notice of meetings should be more visible to our residents. I want to hear from residents. I want to be a voice for all residents. It is our community that is essential to our planning and success.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Yes, of course the 2020 Election was fairly decided and legitimate. Then, I would say something about how anyone who would attack our Capitol with the intent of stopping the democratic process because they lost is no patriot at all, and it was anti-American.

Campaign website: peytonforjackson.com

District 3 At-large

Lance Dillenschneider, Republican

After numerous attempts to contact via email and phone over a span of more than two weeks, Lance Dillenschneider did not respond to The Star’s request to complete the candidate survey.

Campaign website: lancedillenschneider.com

Megan Marshall, Democrat

After numerous attempts to contact via email and phone over a span of more than two weeks, Megan Marshall did not respond to The Star’s request to complete the candidate survey.

Campaign website: www.meganforthree.com

District 1

Christina McDonough Hunt, Republican

After numerous attempts to contact via email and phone over a span of more than two weeks, Christina McDonough Hunt did not respond to The Star’s request to complete the candidate survey.

Campaign website: christinamcdonoughhunt.com

Manuel “Manny” Abarca IV, Democrat

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

The county should fairly assess properties, equitably and consistently to fund our schools libraries, fire districts and our community systems. However, the county should in every instance make it affordable and fair to not cause everyday folks to loose their homes. Furthermore, we shouldn’t allow your neighborhood’s affordability to dictate the quality of your schools. Taxes are the fuel that ensure a community can have functional government service, and thus cannot be arbitrarily cut. If anything, we should look towards tax incentive reforms to ensure our tax dollars stay focused on taxpayer services and not corporate profits.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

The County must innovate, and refocus all services on efficient and effective constituent-based services. If opportunities like my idea for a “12-month payment programs for property taxes” don’t exist, the county should change the laws to make it possible. If you are a nonprofit agency seeking funding from COMBAT, children’s services fund or another county fund, we should provide clear expectations and outcome requests to utilize tax dollars wisely and with long range plans impacting our community like mental health reforms, ending homelessness and curbing crime. You should be empowered by your county government, not restricted.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

We should have long range strategic plans that encompass all our municipalities and unincorporated areas to prioritize the needs of everyone across the county. We must harness the reality that the county is responsible for collecting and distributing collected tax dollars. The county must have an empowered economic development operation, the Truman Sports Complex should be booming how the T-Mobile Center and Power and Light developments have revitalized an otherwise dead downtown. The county has a unique place as the regional collaborator of issues, from public health to public transportation, and we should own the “space” to get things done!

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

I would like to make strides as to how the county addresses equity across the county from the unincorporated areas to the inner city of KCMO, we must do more for those who have the least. Like Kansas City Public Schools, equity should be at the foundation of every policy, rooting for dramatic change from how things are now. This policy can impact everything from how our county employee system looks, to how our funding is allocated and even what our county is called. We have an obligation to provide better service, at lower costs with greater outcomes for the most amount of constituents and not just for our eastern communities.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Republicans continue to erode our democracy by pursuing anti-democratic policies like restricting voter access and purging voter files. Their party’s alliance to “con-man Don” and this “play to win” mentality will have a major impact. Biden/Harris were the decisive winners of the 2020 election and the peaceful transfer of power should have then, and, forevermore, be the way we operate — no matter who takes office. Thus, watching the seditious attacks of Jan. 6 on the Capitol and hearing from my, then, teammates in the Cleaver Capitol office fear for their lives was a sad day for our democracy.

Campaign website: www.mannyabarca.com

District 2

Venessa Huskey, Democrat

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

I would like to see the taxes lowered, however I do not see that happening in Jackson County unless there is a visual assessment done to support lowering the tax. If the current tax assessment is justified, at this point I would like property taxes to stay the same at least for the next 10 years. I understand property value has increased due to the rise in the housing market, but it was gradual. Property taxes should have been gradually increased no more than 3% annually. If Jackson County is offering a relief program to ease the tax burden for veterans, the disabled and senior citizens that would help.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

The services Jackson County provides should be accessible to anyone who may need them expeditiously.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

Priority is the diverse population residing in Jackson County; any new development projects or policies should be inclusive to at least the common good.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

Mitigate bias and encourage diversity; it is not you or me, it is us!

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Yes, Joe Biden is the legitimate president.

Campaign website: no website

District 3

April LaJune McGill, Republican

After numerous attempts to contact via email and phone over a span of more than two weeks, April LaJune McGill did not respond to The Star’s request to complete the candidate survey.

Campaign website: electaprillajune.com

Charlie Franklin, Democrat

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

The county’s budget is based on the current tax base. If taxes are lowered, services would need to be decreased. So much of the taxes go to the schools that lowering the county taxes would not have a significant impact. The emphasis needs to be placed on ensuring all taxpayers are treated fairly.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

As money becomes available, the county needs to increase services in the parks department and health services.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

The county has recently committed to a new jail, new administration building and new health department. An emphasis should be placed on ensuring the smooth operation of these properties.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

See that the jail, administration building and health department is operated as well as possible.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

I have enough problems with county issues without being involved in these issues.

Campaign website: www.facebook.com/CharlieFranklinCPA

District 4

DaRon McGee, Democrat

After numerous attempts to contact via email and phone over a span of more than two weeks, DaRon McGee did not respond to The Star’s request to complete the candidate survey.

Campaign website: mcgeeforjacksoncounty.com

District 6

Sean Smith, Republican

After numerous attempts to contact via email and phone over a span of more than two weeks, Sean Smith did not respond to The Star’s request to complete the candidate survey.

Campaign website: seansmith4missouri.com

Amanda Toomey, Democrat

Should the county raise property taxes, lower them or keep them the same?

All of the above. The county should ensure property taxes are equitably assessed for individuals and businesses. There are numerous economical and financial metrics for calculating this for any given piece of property. The Legislature should use these data-driven approaches when assessing taxes.

What changes should the county make in the services it provides?

The first priority of the county should always be the health and safety of its residents. To the extent possible, any services to this effect should be supported. This includes increased and/or maintained support for emergency responders, maintenance teams and ongoing community programming such as provided by the parks and recreation service.

What should the county prioritize when making choices about new development projects?

All new development proposals should be accompanied by longitudinal predictions for the impacts to residents for decades to come. New projects which positively impact the lives and livelihoods of the residents over the long term should take priority.

What is one other thing you’d like to accomplish for the county that you have not already addressed?

Increased preparedness plans and the resources to implement them. The county can and should be prepared to protect and serve our residents in every eventuality, including extreme weather events, health crises and civil disturbances. These are foreseeable events which must be prepared for in advance to save lives and livelihoods.

Do you believe that the 2020 presidential election was fairly decided and that Joe Biden is the legitimate president, and do you condemn the Jan. 6 insurrection?

Yes, absolutely. I served as an election official for the Jackson County election board on multiple occasions and can personally attest to the security of our polling system. The dedication and commitment of election officials is commendable across the board. Our elections are incredibly robust and secure. Joe Biden is the legitimate president. Jan. 6 was an abhorrent and dangerous coup attempt meant to not only overthrow the election in question, but also to plant the seeds of doubt in all future elections. It is the responsibility of the American people to see through this deception and stand firm.

Campaign website: no website

This story was originally published October 20, 2022 at 7:00 AM.