Municipal Court Operational Review, Compensation Request Overview

The City of Lee’s Summit is providing the following update regarding the Municipal Court operational review and judicial compensation process. Mayor J. Beto Lopez has recused himself from the matter because Presiding Judge Venessa Maxwell-Lopez is his spouse. Mayor Pro Tem Hillary Shields is facilitating the Council’s consideration of the issue.

In July 2025, Municipal Judges Dana Altieri and Venessa Maxwell-Lopez formally requested that the City Council consider increasing judicial compensation in connection with proposed changes to Municipal Court dockets and operations. The judges presented the request to the Finance and Budget Committee on July 7, 2025, and provided additional information to the Committee on Aug. 18, 2025.

The matter was subsequently forwarded to the full City Council. On Nov. 4, 2025, the judges presented their compensation and court operations proposal to the Council for consideration.

Separately, City Manager Mark Dunning worked with the Municipal Court judges to initiate an independent operational review of the Municipal Court. Following a competitive request-for-proposals process, Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. was selected to conduct the review.

On September 9, 2025, the City entered into an agreement with Raftelis Financial Consultants, Inc. to conduct the Municipal Court Operational Review.

On March 10, 2026, the City Council approved an amendment to the Raftelis contract, bringing the total contract amount to $79,050.

Effective May 1, 2026, the annual compensation for each Municipal Judge increased from $38,325 to $51,000 under Ordinance No. 9828 adopted by the City Council on January 9, 2024.

On July 14, 2026, Raftelis presented the findings and recommendations from its Municipal Court Operational Review to the City Council. The review examined Municipal Court operations and identified recommendations for potential operational improvements.

As part of the scope of services, Raftelis developed an Implementation Action Plan outlining its recommendations, suggested implementation steps, priorities, general timelines, and the parties who may be responsible for or involved in carrying out each recommendation.

On Aug. 18, 2026, Dunning presented the Municipal Court Implementation Action Plan to the City Council for discussion. The plan is intended to serve as an evolving management tool as the City, Municipal Court, and City Council evaluate the consultant’s recommendations and determine responsibilities and timelines for implementation.

As part of the broader discussion regarding Municipal Court operations, the judges have requested that their annual base compensation increase from $51,000 to $105,502. The request also includes LAGERS retirement benefits and an annual cost-of-living adjustment. Changes to court schedules and dockets have also been discussed in connection with the request.

No final decision has been made regarding the judges’ compensation request.

The City’s Law Department is not advising the Council on this issue because of a conflict of interest. This City Attorney supervises the Municipal Court prosecutor and other City attorneys who regularly appear before the Municipal Court. 

Because the matter involves questions regarding the Missouri Constitution, the City Charter, and when changes to judicial compensation may legally take effect, outside legal counsel has been retained to advise the City Council as it continues its consideration.

Attorney Catherine Zacharias of Lauber Municipal Law has been retained to provide independent legal guidance to the Council. Her work includes legal research, responding to Council questions, and assisting with ordinance language or amendments that may be considered.

Ms. Zacharias is expected to provide her findings to the City Council on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026. The Council is scheduled to discuss the matter in closed session on Tuesday, Sept. 8, 2026, as permitted under Section 610.021(1) of the Missouri Revised Statutes. Any action requiring City Council approval will be taken during an open public meeting.

Additional information, including meeting agendas, consultant reports, and supporting materials, will continue to be available through the City’s public meeting and agenda process. Additional information, including meeting agendas and supporting materials, will be available through the City’s Legislative Information Center.