Jackson County to limit 2025 residential property tax assessment increases to 15%

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Property tax assessment increases for residential properties in Jackson County will be limited to 15 percent for 2025. That’s according to a release from County Executive Frank White Jr.

The action follows a decision by a judge earlier this month that the county must follow a State Tax Commission order that the 2023-2024 assessment increases must be capped at 15 percent.

KCTV5 Investigates did numerous reports on the troubled assessment. Many feared losing their homes after they saw their assessed values go up more than 50 percent in some cases.

State law requires a physical inspection must be done on a property if the assessed value increases by more than 15 percent.

More than 54,000 appeals were filed in the 2023 assessment, with many homeowners questioning whether physical inspections were completed.

“It is great to have the County Executive to finally do the right thing,” said County Legislator Manny Abarca following today’s announcement. “It’s technically not more than 14.99% increase, otherwise state statute requires an inspection, but I think at the heart of his statement is that the illegal and unreasonable increases are not going to happen in 2025 -- and that’s the real win here!”

Still, the County Executive warned that capping assessments will ultimately result in tax burden shifts.

“The truth is simple. The money from 2023 and 2024 is gone. It was spent to keep teachers in classrooms, keep fire trucks running, and keep services moving,” said White. “What’s left now is to fix the system, not pretend we can go back in time.”

Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith said this appears to be weak and ambiguous by the County.

“It strikes me as an avoidance more so than a win. He’s not addressing the unlawful 2023 assessment that he’s been ordered by. Two courts and the State Tax Commission to roll back, so he’s avoiding that,” said Jackson County Legislator Sean Smith.

In a statement, the State Tax Commission shared:

The State Tax Commission of Missouri is pleased to learn of the apparent decision by Jackson County to limit its 2025 residential property assessment increases to 15% if the County cannot provide notice and physical inspections to taxpayers as mandated by State law.

Unfortunately, it appears that the County will continue to refuse to comply with the Commission’s Administrative Order issued last August, ordering Jackson County assessing officials to cap its 2023 residential assessment increases at 15%. The Commission issued its Order based upon numerous and widespread violations by Jackson County of State law. The Jackson County Circuit Court specifically found that “the Commission issued its Order upon substantial and competent evidence, and that the Commission did not act arbitrarily, capriciously or unreasonably in reaching its conclusions or entering its Order.”

The Commission continues to seek judicial enforcement of its Order pertaining to the 2023 assessment increases.

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