08.07.24 Jackson County rejects State Tax Commission's order
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2024
Jackson County rejects State Tax Commission's order as politically motivated and inaccurate
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County unequivocally rejects the State Tax Commission’s (STC) recent order issued today, deeming it both inaccurate and dangerously politicized. The STC’s order is a desperate, last-minute maneuver before the conclusion of a trial on related issues. It is nothing more than a litigation tactic from politically motivated actors who are ill-informed and acting in bad faith.
Our reassessment plans for 2023 and 2024 were reviewed and approved by the STC. Despite this, and without any hearings or evidence, the Commission now asserts that we failed to meet statutory requirements. This claim is baseless. Even the State’s own “expert” acknowledged on social media that they failed to prove their case. Furthermore, the original order received by the County notably included the signature of a commissioner who had recused himself from the vote—an alarming indication of the unprofessional and haphazard manner this process has been conducted.
The consequences of this order would be disastrous for our community. Local school districts have made it clear that such an order could cost them nearly $1,500 per student—a crippling blow to our educational system. But the damage wouldn’t stop there. Libraries, fire departments, and cities across the county would face serious budget cuts, which would negatively impact the essential services our residents depend on every day. Amicus briefs from the school districts detailing these harmful effects are attached.
Fairness in property assessment is not just a legal duty but a moral obligation. Property tax differs fundamentally from sales tax: when one property is undervalued, others must pay more to fill the gap.
“For too long, many homes have been undervalued, forcing others to overpay,” said Jackson County Assessor Gail McCann Beatty. “We cannot and will not allow this injustice to continue. We will do our jobs and uphold the law by assessing properties at market value, regardless of these political games.”
“Our mission is to provide a fair and equitable process where no one pays more than the law requires,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “This reckless order is harmful to not only taxing jurisdictions, but also taxpayers. While fixing decades of mismanagement hasn’t been easy, we are committed to fairness and will continue working every day to achieve it. Actions like this do immense harm to our communities.”
The issue of unequal property assessments has long been a critical concern, particularly in its disproportionate impact on Black and Brown communities. Research consistently shows that these communities often face higher property tax assessments relative to their home's market value compared to predominantly white neighborhoods. This discrepancy can exacerbate economic inequality and contribute to systemic disadvantages in housing and wealth accumulation. Two reports detailing these disparities are linked here:
How the property tax system harms Black homeowners and widens the racial wealth gap
The Color of Wealth in the Nation's Capital
Jackson County will explore all legal avenues to protect our taxpayers, schools and essential services from this politically motivated attack. Fairness will prevail, and we will not allow our community to be sacrificed for political gain.