Jackson County Faces Setback in Property Assessment Dispute
JACKSON COUNTY, MO — Hopes to reverse steep property assessment increases in Jackson County have hit a wall after a circuit court judge dismissed a lawsuit filed by the State Tax Commission. This ruling was announced on Wednesday, following the Commission’s August directive for the county to roll back most property valuations from 2023, which it deemed illegal.
County officials labeled the State Tax Commission’s order as “unconstitutional,” asserting that it was a cover for Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey’s failed attempts to nullify the assessments. The Commission sought to impose a cap on property assessments, restricting increases to 15% unless driven by new construction or improvements. However, the court dismissed this attempt, leaving residents and stakeholders concerned about their property tax liabilities.
Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. expressed gratitude to residents for their patience amid ongoing challenges, emphasizing a commitment to fair treatment for all property owners. Despite the setback, Gregory Allsberry, chief counsel for the State Tax Commission, reaffirmed the validity of the August order and pledged to enforce compliance moving forward.
The dispute traces back to allegations that Jackson County had improperly conducted its 2023 reassessment, leading to average property value increases of 30% across hundreds of thousands of properties, with over 90% of residential properties affected. This raises concerns over increased property taxes for many homeowners.
Further complicating matters, scrutiny has arisen over Bailey’s conduct during the litigation, particularly regarding an undisclosed meeting with a Jackson County official. After Bailey’s attempt to dismiss the lawsuit — a day before he was to testify — the State Tax Commission issued its order, ultimately leading to Wednesday’s unfavorable court outcome for the state. The ongoing legal tussle over property assessments is set to continue, as both sides prepare for future challenges.
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