INDEPENDENCE, Mo. — The Jackson County Legislature voted Monday to approve Phil LeVota to serve as interim Jackson County executive.
At 2 p.m., legislators started screening the final pool of nine applicants interested in becoming the interim county executive.
Just after 5 p.m., legislators held a vote, with LeVota earning the majority of the votes. Fellow applicant Dan Tarwater received four votes.
The tentative plan is for him to take the oath of office on Thursday. LeVota will serve in the position through the end of 2026.
He promised not to run for a full, four-year term in the 2026 election.
Jackson County Legislature Chairman DaRon McGee introduced LeVota in a news conference Monday evening. Watch the news conference in the video player below.
He said his top priority is to reform the property assessment process.
LeVota did not commit to firing Assessor Gail McCann Beatty while answering questions at a press conference immediately after Monday’s meeting, but he did promise “relief is coming," adding he will present a proposal on property assessments as early as next week.
LINK | KSHB 41's political reporter Charlie Keegan reviews applicants vying for position
“I want to thank the people of Jackson County. Your voices, your work and your expectations are what guides us,” LeVota said. “Today is about collaboration, not celebration. We have important work ahead restoring the trust, improving services, and ensuring our government works transparently and effectively for every person.”
LeVota is an attorney who has served as the leader of Jackson County’s Democratic Party in the past.
Recently, he represented citizens in a lawsuit asking a judge to choose a date for now-former County Executive Frank White’s recall election.
Voters recalled White in a special recall election on Sept. 30.
On Wednesday, former Kansas City, Missouri, Mayor Kay Barnes was sworn in as a temporary county executive.
LeVota named former Jackson County Legislator Theresa Garza his chief of staff. She last served in the legislature in 2015 and is currently a Raytown alderman.
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