Jackson County Exec Responds To Property Tax Lawsuit Concerns

This week we shared a word from Preston Smith regarding his concerns over ongoing litigation confronting the courthouse. 

Now . . .

In an ongoing departure from the prior administration, we're thankful to Exec LeVota for sending word back and sharing his perspective. Agree or disagree, there's no denying that this administration is far more accessible and responsive when it comes to constituent concerns. 

As always, when it comes to serious local issues . . . Our www.TonysKansasCity.com wants to be fair to both sides and that's why we've shared Preston's comments and also want to put this word out there for readers & locals.

Response From Jackson County Exec LeVota

It’s just disappointing that Preston Smith continues to pass on misinformation to people. I really respect how hard he fought for taxpayers over the last decade against an administration that was frankly screwing over Jackson County. 

But even now Preston is so reckless with his comments and opinions that are incorrect that he continues the divisiveness of taxpayers because they believe him. 

For example, he makes a comment about ongoing litigation that he is entirely wrong about. The Ken McClain litigation is asking the court to order the county to do what we are already doing. There is no more issue with the lawsuit except for paying  attorneys fees. Preston wants to help Ken McClain takes millions in taxpayer money but I’m not willing to do that. And then Preston and Ken McClain would want me to go back to the school districts and sue them to get that money back that they were overpaid. I’m not willing to do that either. 

So Preston, a non-lawyer, gives his “take” on  the litigation with incorrect information and it is a disservice to all these people that are following him. I’ve had several conversations with him and tried to work with him on getting the truth out there, but he’s so ingrained to immediately fight with the county and see conspiracies when there aren’t any,he can’t see the forest for the trees.  He gives his opinions like they are facts when he is wrong. 

To address his specific mistruths, the assessment department is right now calculating what the overages are to make sure we know that number to be able to apply the first one third of the credits this fall. 

And in the courtroom in the litigation, the county counselor‘s office was not talking about tax policy on what we’re doing. There’s no secret. We’re already moving on tax credits. And it’s just a blatant lie for him to say that the county counselor’s office said we’re not complying with the STC order. Naïve Preston is just following along with the private attorney trying to take millions of Jackson County taxpayer dollars. It’s just sad. 

If Preston wants to support Ken McClain in getting millions of dollars of our taxpayer money in attorneys fees that’s up to him but I thought he was fighting for the taxpayers not against them. But there’s no question he sure shouldn’t be making statements that just aren’t true because unfortunately there are some people that blindly believe his incorrect opinion as facts. 
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