Jackson County settles with state over 2023 property tax errors
The agreement requires the county to dismiss its appeal and certify that corrected assessments were applied to tens of thousands of homeowners.
By Luana Sato ·
Missouri families dealing with higher property bills received a formal resolution on Wednesday when the state and Jackson County officials agreed to end their legal dispute. The settlement closes the litigation that stemmed from the county's 2023 property tax assessment process, a period that left many residents facing unexpected cost increases.
Attorney General Catherine Hanaway announced the agreement in a news release. Her office stated that the county had used flawed assessment practices and failed to follow state law. Officials noted that the county missed a required notice deadline for extreme tax increases affecting tens of thousands of property owners. The settlement requires the county to dismiss its appeal against the state's findings.
The terms of the deal also mandate that Jackson County maintain the corrected assessments. The county must certify that all required adjustments to property values were made. This certification serves as the final administrative step to ensure the 2023 errors are formally rectified in the county's records.
Jackson County Executive Phil LeVota welcomed the outcome in a statement sent to KSHB 41 News. He described the agreement as a victory for his administration in addressing the tax issue. LeVota, who took office a year ago, said he and the legislature worked together to create a property tax credit program. This program provides relief to eligible taxpayers who experienced property value increases during the 2023 reassessment.
LeVota noted that the county is following directives from the Missouri State Tax Commission. These directives include corrective measures for residential assessment increases that exceeded 15 percent. The executive thanked Hanaway and the tax commission for their cooperation in resolving the matter. He emphasized that both parties worked toward the common goal of protecting taxpayers and correcting past issues.
Hanaway said the state has a responsibility to safeguard taxpayers when local governments make errors. She stated that Missouri families should not pay the price for local administrative mistakes. The attorney general added that her office will continue to fight to protect homeowners' wallets and ensure officials follow the law. The settlement marks the end of the state's active litigation regarding the 2023 assessment process.
