Jackson County’s Executive warns community of property tax increase

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Jackson County’s Executive fired the latest blast in a battle with the State Tax Commission after the commission ordered the county to roll back its 2023 assessments to no more than a 15% increase.

Jackson County maintains the order is unenforceable, and based on politics after the attorney general dismissed a lawsuit against the county and its assessor.

Now, Frank White is warning schools, fire districts and other agencies about what’s at stake.

“I understand both sides, but I’m also more for the little guy that just totally got train wrecked in this deal,” Inter City Fire Protection District Fire Chief Jewell said.

“If you were barely making it and your property tax went up 30%, some cases 400.”

Earlier this week, Jackson Co. Leaders stood by the 2023 property tax assessment increases, sticker shock to hundreds of property owners.

This was after the Missouri Tax Commission ruled those hikes illegal and ordered the county to roll them back to no more than a 15 percent increase.

Jewel received a letter from County Executive Frank White, Jr., Jewell’s department is not alone.

“From a fire administrator, I’d say, people are going to be in trouble,” Jewell said.

“But again, the taxpayers, some people are going to lose their houses, and their rent went up where they can’t afford to pay. So, at the end of the day, I’ll just wait to see what plays out in court.”

Dozens of fire districts, school districts and cities also received a list noting the potential estimated financial fallout for impacted entities. It totals more than $117 million.

Lee’s Summit School District could potentially lose more than $14 million, the city of Kansas City proper could be out $9 million, and a nearly $2 million loss for Central Jackson Fire District.

The inter City Fire Protection Chief could face a nearly $5,000 loss, but said he was prepared.

Jewell admits he owns several properties. He understands both sides.

“If we didn’t have our ambulances it would definitely be a hit,” Jewell said.

The Lee’s Summit School District said in a statement to FOX4,  “This does not impact what the district is doing and we will continue to review the State Tax Commission’s order and monitor the county’s response.”

The City of Grandview said it’s, “considering its options and looks forward to discussions with  County representatives.”

Frank White said in the letter “The potential consequences for your organization and others across the county could be catastrophic.”

He urged them to get in touch with the county counselor’s office to develop a “unified and effective response strategy”.

In an appearance on Sunday’s “4 The People”, County Counselor Bryan Covinsky said a decision on how to fight the order is still being formulated.

“The public schools get 65% of all the money that comes in from that, the cities get 17% and then we have various community colleges that get money from that, as well. There’s a number of others.” Covinsky said.

“So, going backwards, saying it so much later, causes problems.”

Find the full list of agencies that could potentially be impacted here:

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