Jackson County residential property assessment to rise to 15% in 2025

Yahoo

17-04-2025

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Jackson County officials revealed on Thursday that residential property assessment increases will be limited to no more than 15% in 2025.
Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. and County Assessor Gail McCann Beatty say that after collaboration with legal experts, the decision 'reflects the only responsible course of action left as the State Tax Commission continues to shift rules.'
Jackson County's news release also claims that the 'shift' of rules is contradictory and that they leave local governments exposed both financially and legally.
KC man pleads guilty to federal gun charge from Chiefs' Super Bowl parade shooting
'While others point fingers or promise what they know can't be delivered, we're making the hard choice to protect property owners, preserve public services and ensure that our assessment process can continue under the most difficult of circumstances,' White Jr. said in the release.
The increase in property assessments comes after a judge found the STC's order in 2023 to be unenforceable. Jackson County's release says they've worked to comply with state law even as the STC shifts inconsistently.
'One day, we're told inspections must happen after January 1. The next, they say we can start before. We've asked, repeatedly what counts as a 'physical inspection.' We've received no answers,' Beatty said.
Now, any property that sees an increase of more than 15% is required to get a physical exterior inspection. Property owners will also be able to request an interior inspection at the same time as the exterior.
However, it cannot be determined whether or not a property exceeds the 15% limit until after the inspections, which prompted Jackson County to call the action a 'logistical and legal contradiction' in its release.
'With more than 300,000 parcels, who do we inspect? Who do we leave out?' Beatty said.
'And how is it fair that those we manage to reach may end up with higher taxes than those we physically couldn't? Why should either group be penalized?'
KCPD: Victim of predatory towing? Email property crime detectives
Now, Jackson County says that officials will continue to evaluate proposals to provide inforamtion as developments arise and issue additional notices. The county also says that officials know that the solution isn't perfect.
'Jackson County is under no illusion that this is a perfect solution. It is not. But in a landscape defined by legal contradictions, shifting interpretations and operational impossibilities, this is the most responsible and legally sound path available,' the statement reads.
'We need modern tools, not contradictory mandates. We need clarity, not political pressure. And we need a system that works,' Beatty said.
'Because right now, we're all being set up to fail.'
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.