Phil LeVota (left) at his swearing in ceremony inside the Historic Truman Courthouse in Independence. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
Phil LeVota, a prominent Jackson County Democrat and attorney, was sworn in as the interim Jackson County executive yesterday after former executive Frank White Jr. was recalled in September.
His term will last until January 2027.
Why it matters: LeVota, who has never held public office, will serve as the county's most powerful leader at a time when property tax assessments are skyrocketing and both the Royals and Chiefs are threatening to leave.
During the ceremony, LeVota promised to implement a "fair, transparent and accurate property tax system" while also "balancing the interests of the public, the teams and the local economy."
85% of the voters said they had no faith in the person, and they have lost confidence in the position, that Harry Truman once held — one of the darkest days in Jackson County history. ... Today is the day we start to restore confidence back to Jackson County executive position.
