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Smithville approves 2025 property tax rate after public hearing; vote 5-1
Summary
After a public hearing on Sept. 23, the Smithville Board of Aldermen approved Bill No. 3078-25 to set the 2025 property tax levy, passing both readings by roll call (5–1). Finance Director Rick Welch presented valuation and calculation details; Alderman Ronald R. Russell voted no and asked whether the rate could be lowered.
The Smithville Board of Aldermen on Sept. 23 approved an ordinance setting the city's 2025 property tax levy, passing Bill No. 3078-25 on both first and second readings by roll calls of 5–1.
Finance Director Rick Welch presented the statutory process used to calculate the levy, saying the city relies on county aggregate assessed valuation notices and a pro-forma from the State Auditor's Office to establish the city's maximum levy. Using the example of a $300,000 home, Welch outlined that under the 2024 tax rate the city tax was $221.16 and that the proposed 2025 rate (0.3607) would change the calculation; in a high-growth scenario staff estimated an annual city tax increase of about $1.71 for that example property.
The presentation also noted Clay County residential assessed value is set at 19% of market value and that local real-estate platforms reported average Smithville property value increases in 2024 ranging from 0.4% to 8.4%. Alderman Ronald R. Russell asked whether the council could lower the rate; Welch responded that the rate could be lowered administratively but increasing it would require a citywide vote.
Bill No. 3078-25, sponsored by Mayor Damien Boley, was moved by Alderman Marv Atkins and seconded by Alderman Dan Hartman. The first-reading roll call was 5 ayes and 1 no (Alderman Russell). The second-reading roll call produced the same result. Mayor Boley declared the bill approved.
The hearing record shows staff will continue to reconcile county senior freeze figures and county projections; Clay County projected total residential revenues of $1,076,000 for the current year and $1,113,000 for the upcoming year, which staff said would reflect the senior freeze. No further formal action on the levy schedule was recorded that evening.
Approval of the ordinance concludes the Board's formal action on the 2025 city property tax rate for now; the city posted and held the required public hearing and completed two readings as part of the emergency ordinance process.
