Jackson County legislators demand leaders comply with tax assessment order
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Missouri’s state tax commission has the attention of Jackson County legislators.
This after it ordered the county to roll back last year’s property tax assessments of more than 15%. That amounts to 75% of assessments, an order called “political by the county executive. But some county legislators on Thursday urged compliance.
County legislators spoke Thursday in favor of this ruling from the tax commission and were critical of Jackson County Executive Frank White, who didn’t attend Thursday’s event.
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The state tax commission said its investigation showed county officials failed to physically inspect properties where big increases took place, and now, there’s a big problem to address.
“Unfortunately, the administration failed,” said Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith
Five of Jackson County’s nine legislators are speaking out, sharing their support for this decision from the Missouri State Tax Commission.
The county legislature says Jackson County property owners were forced to overpay by $115 million due to tax hikes. They’re calling it “disruptive.”
Smith joined this group of five blaming White, saying White failed to recognize flaws in the process that stirred these increases.
“The reality is while that failure lingers, we continue to do harm to people. How? There’s people out there with mortgage payments they can’t afford,” Smith said.
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Some people in Jackson County have complained to their elected officials these increases hurt people of color the most. A news release from the state tax commission sites a statute that requires the Jackson County Board of Equalization to complete business by August 24.
First District Rep. Manny Abarca says he’s heard from those who would like credit toward future taxes, or repayment, but he can’t imagine that being possible without looting county coffers.
“A hundred million dollars? That’s nearly a full department. That’s our parks and rec department from our budget line, so there’s no ready cash able to flip that like a light switch and turn it into a cash payment,” Abarca said.
White didn’t attend Thursday’s event at the courthouse. A statement from his office said this move by the tax commission is inspired by Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey, who is seeking re-election in November.
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Part of White’s statement says “This is exactly what we expected, a political stunt disguised as a legitimate legal challenge. Any remaining credibility the backers of this case once had is now gone.”
In the wake of that order, the attorney general’s lawsuit against the county is dismissed.
There is still one more lawsuit facing the county, filed by the City of Lee’s Summit.
Online court records show the case scheduled for trial beginning Oct. 1.
The city’s lawsuit makes the same arguments as the attorney general made. That the county failed to inspect properties, notify owners about assessment increases, and increased assessments beyond what’s allowed by state law.
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