Jackson County legislature directs assessor to follow State Tax Commission order, rolls back some 2023 assessments

Jackson County legislators voted 5-4 on April 7, 2025, to adopt an ordinance directing the county assessor and administration to comply with a Missouri State Tax Commission order requiring that any parcel whose 2023 assessment rose more than 15% be changed to no more than 15% above its 2022 value. The ordinance, introduced and debated at the legislature's regular meeting in the Kansas Legislative Assembly area, passed after an amendment that noted a judge found the commission’s order lawful.

The measure’s sponsor, Legislator K. Smith, said the ordinance is meant to prevent the county from sending legally defective 2025 impact notices that would rely on 2023 values the State Tax Commission has found to be unlawful. “If we don't enact this today ... those notices, if this order isn't complied with, will also be legally defective and subject to future problems,” Smith said. The sponsor and other supporters urged immediate action to stop further harm to homeowners who saw dramatic increases in 2023.

County Counselor (Mr. Kennedy) told the body that the county…