property taxes

Phil LeVota was sworn in this week as Jackson County executive after a nomination process that was criticized by some as “smoke and mirrors.” Taking over the rest of Frank White Jr.'s term, he will face the daunting task of fixing the property tax assessment process.

LeVota was sworn in as interim Jackson County executive Thursday. He replaces Frank White, Jr., who was recalled by voters in September. LeVota says his first priority is property tax relief, and he’s sworn not to run for a full term next year.

A lawsuit filed Friday alleges that Missouri lawmakers unconstitutionally split residential property into different classes, choosing which counties would get a property tax cap, and how much, on “simply the whim of individual legislators.”

Jackson County residents will decide Tuesday, Sept. 30, on whether to recall County Executive Frank White Jr. Proponents and opponents shared their perspectives ahead of the vote, and explain what will happen if White gets recalled.

Early voting is beginning in the Sept. 30 recall election for Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. Supporters of the recall are upset about how White handled property assessments. Opponents say the construction lobby is trying to clear the path for “sweetheart stadium deals.”

Jackson County voters will cast ballots on Sept. 30 in a special recall election targeting County Executive Frank White Jr. On Up To Date, the county executive defended his efforts to work with legislators but said some of his colleagues are determined to keep him from accomplishing things.

Jackson County property owners spoke before a Missouri House special committee this week about receiving huge property tax increases — with few options for appeals. “There’s no transparency; there’s no accountability; and there’s no guardrail," Blip owner Ian Davis told lawmakers.

The city won’t work with CJR Construction Group for two years, after the company repeatedly violated its prevailing wage rules. This is the first time Kansas City has debarred a contractor in years.

Missouri ordered retroactive limits on property assessment increases in Jackson County. But, according to county assessor Gail McCann Beatty, that order means "inequities will remain."

A Missouri House interim committee met last week and will hold four hearings around the state to listen to concerns and hear ideas for overhauling the system.

County legislators met Friday morning to override White's veto. The election, which follows years of frustration with White from county legislators and community members, is scheduled for Aug. 26.

The Board of Commissioners of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas voted to allow property taxes to increase next year. But the county's financial issues remain and commissioners agreed there is waste to cut from the budget.