Preston Smith Fact Checks Jackson County Property Tax Game Plan

We are very fortunate to stay in contact with Preston Smith on occasion.

Mr. Smith is one of the most knowledgeable and thoughtful leaders of taxpayer discussions on Jackson County property taxes. 

Accordingly . . . 

Here's the latest word that he has shared via social media and with our www.TonysKansasCity.com blog community . . . Here's the word:

Preston Smith: THE COUNTY'S ASSESSMENT GAME PLAN FOR 2025.

I have been saying that I thought the worst wave of high assessments were over, since 2025 would be only one year away from the entire Legislature being up for re-election. I WAS WRONG. On the latest 24-25 Assessment Maintenance Plan, which is required to be filed with the State Tax Commission to outline how Jackson County is going to assess property in 2025.


Please look at p. 35 of this attachment. It is identical to what the County filed with the STC in 2021 for the 2023 assessment. Then, they predicted 60,000 informal. appeals and 15,000 appeals heard by the BOE. We got darn close to that, with 54,000 appeals filed and the BOE hearing about 20,000 appeals (if they ever go back to work and hear the other 13,000 appeals pending).

IF THE COUNTY IS PREDICTING 60,000 APPEALS FOR 2025 THAT MEANS WE COULD HAVE ANOTHER ROUND OF 40 TO 50 PERCENT INCREASES IN ASSESSMENTS!!!!!!!!!

I cannot underscore how significant this is. This is going to KILL our county once and for all. Obviously, with Frank White not running for re-election in 2026, he doesn't care what happens to tax assessments in 2025. THIS COULD BE BAD!!!!!

Let's assume that Gail McCann Beatty just forgot to update the 2021 document, and the 60,000 appeals is just a mistake. I sure do hope so.

But since this is presented to the Legislature as a formal document, I have to take her at her submission. I read the 2023-24 maintenance plan and saw the number of appeals and was shocked. This plan is even more shocking. She plans on continuing to expand the Assessment staff. Tyler Technologies will be running the entire 2025 assessment.

Folks----CONTACT YOUR COUNTY LEGISLATOR ASAP AND TELL THEM THEY HAVE TO ASK SERIOUS QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS PLAN. WE HAVE TO FIND OUT IF THE ASSESSOR IS GOING TO CREATE A SITUATION WHERE ASSESSMENTS GO THROUGH THE SKY AGAIN.

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