Increase for Jackson County sheriff deputy pension called ‘reckless.’ It fails to pass

The Jackson County Legislature failed to muster enough votes Tuesday to push through a controversial plan to increase pension benefits for sheriff’s deputies — a raise that would have excluded many other county employees.

County Executive Frank White had vetoed the measure Friday, saying the change was unwise and could destabilize the entire pension fund. That meant legislators needed a two-thirds majority to override the veto.

At their emergency meeting Tuesday morning, the vote was 5-4 in favor, one vote short to overturn White’s veto.

The measure would have raised deputies’ retirement rate benefit by 50%. It was initially passed the same day it had been proposed, without a chance for the pension board to evaluate financial implications.

On Tuesday, White called for a study to further look into changing the pension plan and warned that passing increases without evaluating their effects could lead to bankruptcy.

“This being introduced in one day, passed in one day, is not responsible. It’s sort of reckless,” White told legislators.

He said the incoming legislature should vote on changes once the study is available.

“The optics are not good,” said legislator Crystal Williams, who is retiring. “This is not the way you make good policy. You don’t piecemeal it.”

Jalen Anderson, who won reelection, said the proposal offered special treatment to deputies.

“You are saying … that we’ll increase your pension, but the rest of you, good luck,” Anderson said.

Multiple representatives of labor unions also spoke to the legislature, making cases for increases in the pension plans of correctional officers, who worked through the pandemic as jails filled, and 911 dispatchers, who struggle to retain staff.

Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker said her assistant prosecutors, who go to homicide scenes and work closely with law enforcement, also deserve a raise in benefits.

The only group supporting the pension plan change was the Fraternal Order of Police.

Dustin Love, a representative from the police labor union, said the raises were needed to combat staffing shortages and a need for better retirement packages for Jackson County sheriff’s deputies and park rangers.

“We believe it’s a starting point for necessary and overdue changes,” he said.

The ordinance was first introduced by legislator Dan Tarwater, who is leaving to run for Kansas City Council. His co-sponsor was Theresa Galvin, who gave up her seat to run against White. Joining them were two others who are stepping down, Scott Burnett and Tony Miller, who lost his primary.

Also voting for the failed override was Charlie Franklin, who won re-election.