KANSAS CITY — A ruling has been made in the 2023 property tax assessments against Jackson County and for the Missouri State Tax Commission. The county was seeking to overturn an August 2024 order issued by the commission, which mandates changes to property tax assessments.
Jackson County legislator Manny Abarca was live on Midday with Jayme & Grayson discussing an ongoing fight with County Executive Frank White, and made comments on the judge's ruling.
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More from KMBC News 9: Jackson County officials, including Assessor Gail McCann Beatty and County Executive Frank White Jr., filed the lawsuit in September 2024, asserting the STC's order is unlawful, void and unenforceable.
The order directed county officials to adjust property valuations for all Subclass 1 residential properties, capping increases at 15% or the county’s determined valuation, whichever is less.
The county said the commission overstepped its statutory authority and violated procedural requirements by failing to provide notice or hold hearings before issuing the order.
The lawsuit also alleged the STC's actions conflict with constitutional and statutory guidelines for property assessment oversight.
In the ruling issued Monday, the judge ultimately upheld the tax commission's authority under Missouri law and its ability to enforce property tax law compliance.
As a result, Jackson County is required to comply with the commission's corrective order capping property taxes.
The court also upheld the commission's authority to issue supervisory orders to correct assessment errors, and it found Jackson County lacked the standing to pursue judicial review under the Missouri Administrative Procedure Act.
As a result, all seven counts of the Jackson County petition have been dismissed.
County officials said this should mean a rollback of the 2023 assessment.
While this battle is not over, it is a step toward the end of a two-year fight. Jackson County will likely appeal this ruling.