The Jackson County Legislature’s Finance and Audit Committee voted to hold Ordinance 5996 on a motion during its meeting, delaying consideration while staff obtain a legal opinion.

Ordinance 5996 would amend the Jackson County code to establish fair property-tax payment practices during appeals, including payment programs, appeal-based payment extensions and time limits on appeal resolution. The measure was introduced from the floor and is unsigned by the county counselor.

“ I was gonna suggest that we hold this. I can't see in the camera view if there's anybody from legal present or not, but I I think it would be appropriate to, get a legal opinion on this,” said Legislator Sean Smith, who urged postponement and noted that property tax bills are not due until December. Legislator Donna Peyton moved to hold the ordinance; the motion was seconded and the committee agreed to hold the matter.

“Wonderful. We do have legal here, and we do have chief of staff Clifford here, but I will entertain a motion to hold,” Peyton said as she opened the item for a motion.

The committee did not take a final vote on the ordinance’s substantive provisions at the meeting. Members discussed the scheduling margin before tax bills are due in December, and Committee leadership instructed staff to obtain the legal review before the ordinance returns for further consideration.

No specific timeline for the legal opinion was stated during the meeting, and no changes to the text of Ordinance 5996 were made on the record. The committee moved on to other agenda items after the motion to hold.