Title
An Ordinance establishing compensation and allowances for the Municipal Judges with the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri.
(NOTE: First read by Council on September 16, 2026.)
Body
Issue/Request:
The Municipal Court Judges have requested an increase in compensation. At the August 18, 2026 City Council meeting, Councilmember Prier moved to direct staff to bring forward an ordinance establishing Municipal Judge compensation of $105,502 per judge annually, along with all of the current benefits and allowances to the Council within 30-days, with an effective date of the next pay period after adoption of the ordinance. Councilmember Funk seconded the motion. The City Council voted 5 - 2 in favor of the motion, therefore this ordinance has been prepared and placed on the September 16, 2026 meeting agenda for the Special Session of the City Council.
Key Issues:
The Municipal Court Judges are requesting consideration of increases in compensation as considerations are contemplated in restructuring dockets and other court functions. The compensation of municipal court judges is determined by the Mayor and City Council by ordinance per the City's Charter.
Proposed City Council Motion:
I move for second reading of an ordinance establishing compensation and allowances for the Municipal Judges with the City of Lee's Summit, Missouri
Background:
The Municipal Court Judges presented a request for increase in compensation to the Finance and Budget Committee on July 7, 2025 and August 18, 2025. The packet information for those meetings has been attached to this packet under the "Associations" tab for reference. The request for increase in compensation was forwarded to the City Council without a recommendation by the Finance and Budget Committee.
On November 4, 2025, the Municipal Court Judges presented the request for increase in compensation to the City Council. After discussion, the Council provided direction to have the Municipal Court Operational Review completed so that more data could be provided and considered, and the Mayor and Council expressed the need for expert legal counsel on the matter. The Mayor expressed the intent to work with the City Manager to identify and engage outside legal counsel and then this matter would be brought back to City Council. The packet information for the November 4, 2025 meeting has also been attached to this packet under the "Associations" tab for reference.
The last compensation increase for Municipal Court Judges was implemented on May 1, 2026 (Ordinance No. 9828 passed by the Council on January 9, 2024 and signed by the Mayor on January 16, 2024).
Impact/Analysis:
If approved, the funding source(s) needed to accomplish the increase in Municipal Judge compensation will need to be identified as the Fiscal Year 27 budget does not contain resources to cover this expenditure. Staff would need to bring forward a budget amendment for the Council to consider and allocate the needed resources accordingly at a later date.
Timeline:
If approved, the increase in compensation for the Municipal Judges would begin at the start of the next pay period after adoption of the ordinance.
Other Information/Unique Characteristics:
The Lee's Summit City Charter contains a provision stating, "Compensation of Municipal Judges shall be determined by ordinance, and shall not be dependent in any way upon the number of cases tried, the number of guilty verdicts reached or the amount of fines imposed or collected. No change in compensation of an incumbent Municipal Judge shall become effective during that judge's term of office." In addition to the language contained in the Lee's Summit City Charter, there is a prohibition against a midterm compensation increase for municipal officers in the Missouri Constitution. However, courts have found that this prohibition is not absolute as there are limited exceptions, one of which exists when "additional duties, extrinsic or not germane to the office have been imposed in conjunction with the increase in compensation."
Due to a conflict of interest, Mayor Lopez has recused from this matter including while serving as Mayor Pro Tem prior to being elected Mayor.
Due to a conflict of interest, Brian Head, City Attorney, and the City's Law Department has recused from this matter as the City Attorney supervises the Prosecutor's Office, and attorneys within the Law Department appear in Municipal Court on various matters.
The City Council has been provided with outside legal counsel due to the City Attorney and Law Department's conflict of interest. Legal opinions have been provided to the City Council regarding this matter and Catherine Zacharias, with the Lauber Municipal Law Firm will be present (virtually) to assist the City Council as needed.
Presenter
Mark Dunning, City Manager
Catherine Zacharias, Lauber Municipal Law (outside legal counsel)