Missouri Audit Flags Jackson County Property Assessments, Homeowner Cites Appeals Issues

A Missouri state audit released Friday found problems in how Jackson County handled property assessments in 2023.

State Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick labeled the county's work on the 2023 reassessment a "catastrophic failure" and assigned the assessment department a "poor" rating. The review identified shortcomings in the way homeowners were notified, how properties were inspected, and how appeals over assessed values were processed.

Greg Walters, who has lived in his Raytown neighborhood for more than 40 years, said his home's assessed value went up by $30,000. Walters said he was able to get his property taxes rolled back down. He said the audit's description of the appeals process does not surprise him.

Walters said he questions whether residents can fairly dispute property values when representatives of taxing entities take part in the decision. "You know who sits the judgement on you?" Walters said. "The city of Raytown, the school district, the fire district, anybody who has some of the money going to them. And that's unfair because they get to sit in judgement and all you can do is ask, and they're really supposed to be working for us, but it doesn't seem like they are."

The county's next property reassessment is scheduled for 2027. Walters said responsibility for the county's approach rests with the legislature and elected officials. "The legislature, the elected officials, they're the ones we elect directly, and if they choose poorly on who they have doing work for them, then they should take the blame and they should take the hit," Walters said.

Walters said the county's handling of assessments has become a growing concern for him. He described his neighborhood as a place where residents maintain their property. "This is a very solid neighborhood here," Walters said. "People take good care of their properties. Most people who come in, they don't go anywhere because they're nice big ranches."