08.05.25 County Executive urges action re: legislator’s BOE appearance

August 5, 2025

Jackson County Executive urges action following Legislator’s shocking behavior

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. is expressing deep concern after Legislator Sean Smith appeared before the Jackson County Board of Equalization (BOE) on July 18, 2025, to advocate for a corporate property owner with more than a dozen tax parcels in the County.

According to the official hearing recording, Smith identified himself and requested that the board reduce the property’s assessed value, offering no additional documentation, market analysis, or other evidence to support his request. It is unknown whether he received compensation.

Days later, he promoted his participation on social media, calling it his “first actual appeal to the BOE” and encouraging others to watch it as a model. The outcome was significant: the property’s 2023 assessed value of $77,480 was cut to $40,990 – a 47% decrease –despite Zillow estimating the market value at $135,100 and showing a 190% increase over the past decade. Just four days after the ruling, Smith met with BOE members in a meeting where the sole agenda item was their compensation.

“Appearing before a board you help oversee and then meeting with them to discuss their pay right after they grant your request creates the appearance of a conflict of interest,” said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. “This raises serious questions about fairness, independence, and whether taxpayers can trust the process.”

Smith holds direct legislative authority over the BOE, including approving appointments, setting salaries and budgets, and shaping ordinances that govern its operations. This latest matter follows other incidents that have drawn scrutiny, including his connection to the distribution of a falsified county document, a court finding of improper coordination with the Missouri Attorney General’s Office, and the misuse of public resources for political purposes, conduct already referred for investigation.

The County will refer this incident to law enforcement, the Missouri Ethics Commission and the Jackson County Ethics Commission.

At this point, only the Jackson County Legislature has the authority to prevent further harm. Yet despite repeated misconduct and mounting evidence, it has failed to act. County Executive White said Legislator Smith has shown he cannot fulfill his duties without compromising the appearance of fairness, and that the Chair of the Legislature has chosen to protect a narrow political majority – dependent on Smith’s support – instead of upholding the ethical standards the public deserves.

“Jackson County residents deserve leaders who act with integrity and put the public good ahead of political convenience,” White said. “Until the Legislature takes action, public confidence in our government will continue to erode.”

Here is the July 18, 2025 BOE hearing where Legislator Smith’s appearance begins around the 30‑minute mark Board of Equalization July 18, 2025 Docket Hearings-20250718_082903-Meeting Recording 1 1.mp4.  Additionally, you will find attached a screenshot from his social media post.