Class action lawsuit filed over Jackson County assessments

[Hammock Parties]

https://www.kctv5.com/2023/06/25/cla...y-assessments/

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A new class action lawsuit challenges the quality of Jackson County’s property assessment. It calls into question if some increases are even legal considering some notices came in the mail after the June 15 deadline, as required by state statutes.

The filing asks a judge to step in and offer injunctive relief. It also calls for a jury trial.

The lawsuit was filed by attorney and developer Ken McClain on behalf of Trevor and Amanda Tilton of Odessa and two businesses.

The lawsuit is critical of the methodology used by Jackson County to reach new values. It argues the newly-built assessment system fails to include sufficient information and there’s a lack of physical inspections.

It points out assessments should consider current market conditions. It argues that didn’t happen when it came to commercial property.

The lawsuit claims Jackson County uniformly increased the value of every non-vacant commercial property with an improvement by 25%. And vacant commercial properties had an across-the-board increase of roughly 50%.

KCTV5 has heard from numerous homeowners who are shocked by the large increases in their assessments. Some question if they’ll be able to keep their homes. They also question if they can realistically sell when property tax assessments increase so much in one fell swoop.

READ MORE: Jackson County property assessment workshops kick off
There has been a 30% average increase in Jackson County. The Assessor’s Office argues homeowners are seeing large increases because Jackson County real estate has not been assessed with Fair Market Valuations (FMV) for a long time and building costs have increased.

The lawsuit is filed against Jackson County Executive Frank White, Assessor Gail McCann Beatty and other members of the Board of Equalization.

KCTV5 reached out to Jackson County’s public information officer for comment but we have not heard back yet.

Politicans exempt from insane take hikes



Legislation drawn to overturn insane tax hikes:



Protest scheduled at Jackson County Courthouse:



KC Town Hall scheduled July 15

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by lewdog

I didn’t bring up what I was posting about, others have. It’s a different argument than your initial post but too silly not to address.

Some of what you’re posting is true as they can’t seem to equally set property values for everyone but on the flip side many homes in your area are now being valued fairly. You didn’t complain when your property was 50% undervalued and your property tax was less than it should be, right?

Irrelevant. Please stay on topic and provide relevant information.

Hope lots of you attend tomorrow!

[LoneWolf]

Just implement a flat 15% increase across the board and tell everyone in Jackson County to shut the **** up. The overwhelming majority of these homes are being assessed correctly and the appeals process should work for those that aren't, but you know "little old ladies are going to be kicked to the streets!"

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

Whining that our homes are being properly valued is really silly.

Many homes are NOT being properly valued.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by LoneWolf

Just implement a flat 15% increase across the board and tell everyone in Jackson County to shut the **** up. The overwhelming majority of these homes are being assessed correctly and the appeals process should work for those that aren't, but you know "little old ladies are going to be kicked to the streets!"

This is the best post you've made in this thread. Glad to have you on board. It's really encouraging to see citizens from another city, hell, another STATE, fighting the good fight for the citizens of Jackson County.

[kysirsoze]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

Many homes are NOT being properly valued.

And everyone agrees that should be corrected. Not much to discuss there.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by kysirsoze

And everyone agrees that should be corrected. Not much to discuss there.

There's plenty to discuss there. It's a sign of outright corruption.

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

Many homes are NOT being properly valued.

Why are you bitching when your house is being valued properly?

Everyone in your life knows the only reason you care about this is because it is taking $50 bucks a month out of your pocket.

If it wasn't impacting you then you would be laughing at those it does impact.

[LoneWolf]

Originally Posted by Hammock Parties

This is the best post you've made in this thread. Glad to have you on board. It's really encouraging to see citizens from another city, hell, another STATE, fighting the good fight for the citizens of Jackson County.

Clay, do you know how much hand wringing and bitching would still exist by Jackson County residents if a 15% mandatory increase across the board was implemented? That jackass State Representative Jeff Coleman threw out an idea of a 2% increase and that is what the residents are expecting now.

[Hammock Parties]

Please do not troll this thread.

[Shiver Me Timbers]

I am a fan of discounts for the senior homeowners. If you are over 65 cut it in half. My logic- well over 50% of the mill levy goes to the schools districts and they don't have anyone in the house using that service. Fire, County Services yes.

In my neighborhood property taxes have probably doubled in the past 4 years and are going up again next year. House is paid off but you owe the county 8-10k a year is a hard pill to swallow. That is probably more than their house payments were when the home was purchased and paid off. Tear downs are selling for over 700k. 1 bdr / 1 bath 403 sq ft condo 725k for reference

[penguinz]

Originally Posted by Shiver Me Timbers

I am a fan of discounts for the senior homeowners. If you are over 65 cut it in half. My logic- well over 50% of the mill levy goes to the schools districts and they don't have anyone in the house using that service. Fire, County Services yes.

In my neighborhood property taxes have probably doubled in the past 4 years and are going up again next year. House is paid off but you owe the county 8-10k a year is a hard pill to swallow. That is probably more than their house payments were when the home was purchased and paid off. Tear downs are selling for over 700k. 1 bdr / 1 bath 403 sq ft condo 725k for reference

Once you hit retirement age you should no longer have to pay property or any type of income tax. Simple solution.

[Hammock Parties]

Originally Posted by Shiver Me Timbers

I am a fan of discounts for the senior homeowners. If you are over 65 cut it in half. My logic- well over 50% of the mill levy goes to the schools districts and they don't have anyone in the house using that service. Fire, County Services yes.

Should be equally true for those with no dependents.

[Shiver Me Timbers]

Originally Posted by penguinz

Once you hit retirement age you should no longer have to pay property or any type of income tax. Simple solution.

I would sign that petition

[bringbackmarty]

Had our zoom appeal today, got our increase reduced to 15% from 47% which is exactly what we were asking our home to be valued at. My wife handled the Zoom so I don't have any insight at the moment on how the appeal works via zoom and how the county behaved on their end. I know we uploaded some pictures of the inside of the house on areas that needed repairs and updates, some estimates etc.. I'll update tonight when she gets home.

[Hammock Parties]

lmao county is way out of line

my house is valued 25% greater than my neighbors

house aross the street went DOWN 12%

total ****ing bullshit valuations