Phil LeVota

The Truman Sports Complex Redevelopment Task Force, a group convened by County Executive Phil LeVota to imagine a future for the area after the teams leave, released a report with many reuse ideas. The path to accomplish them is more tricky.

On Wednesday, the Jackson County Legislature overrode two vetoes from Phil LeVota, slightly increasing levies for the Community Mental Health Fund and Board of Services for the Developmentally Disabled.

The Lee’s Summit School District will decide later this month whether to collect more in taxes or consider cutting staff members and programs. The budget shortfall is partly a result of less-than-expected state funding from Missouri — and it's far from the only district facing tough choices now.

Jackson County government has developed a reputation for pervasive corruption. The most recent blow was the federal indictment of Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota, who is accused of trying to bribe a rival candidate.

A federal grand jury indictment accuses LeVota of trying to convince a candidate for the Jackson County executive race to withdraw, in exchange for positions in county government. LeVota called a news conference denying the allegations.

After garnering close to 50% of the vote in a crowded primary, attorney Stacy Lake may be the next official to carve out policies and weigh in on the Jackson County budget. Lake will take on the sole Republican candidate, Alan Rohlfing, in the November general election.

The move brings Jackson County in line with other charter counties, and affirms a vote at the county level last year in which voters overwhelmingly supported the county switching the position from appointed to elected.

The Independence School District has agreed to drop a lawsuit against Jackson County over its plan to give homeowners relief after skyrocketing property tax assessments. The school district still anticipates it will take a financial hit.

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota said the vote to replace Manny Abarca IV as legislative chair was not related to allegations he made about bribery. On KCUR’s Up To Date, LeVota discussed how Jackson County residents will be reimbursed for inflated property tax payments.

The settlement would include more than 200,000 people who paid property taxes in 2023 and 2024, and would return all the money Jackson County charged in assessments that was over the state-mandated 15% cap.

School leaders in the Kansas City area are grappling with how to balance their budgets and continue serving students as they face declining enrollment, state funding shortfalls and property tax caps.

Interim Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota joined KCUR's Up To Date to discuss why he changed his mind about filing to run for a full term in office. He also discusses the task force he assembled to assess the future of the Truman Sports Complex site, and his approach to addressing property tax concerns.