The Property Assessment Saga Continues
Unfortunately Ordinance No. 5958 was successfully vetoed by the Frank White administration. Regardless of the County Legislature not passing corresponding legislation, the Missouri State Tax Commission reinstated their original Rollback Order to the county in late April 2025. It is important to note that the county's legal appeal to this order is still in litigation. No County Department will act on the Rollback Order at this time. It has been brought to my office's attention that taxpayers have been advised to complete the Jackson County Refund Form in accordance with the Rollback Order. Please note that this refund form is NOT going to recognize the Rollback Order, and taxpayers will not be issued refunds from the 2023 Assessment Cycle unless a lower stipulation agreement is reached during the appeals process. Because the case is still in litigation it is unknown if there will be mass "refunds" at all, and if that is mandated it is unclear what that will look like. The refund form that is circulating around on Facebook is used in the event a taxpayer's bill has been overpaid or if the account has a surplus that is recognized by the Collection's Department. Most of these scenarios are when both the taxpayer and a mortgage company both pay the same bill, for example.
The fight continues on both a local and state level. Missouri Congress passed HJR 3/HJR 23 to put the question of an elected assessor on the Missouri ballot. Voters will have an opportunity to vote on an amendment to the state constitution that would require Jackson County to have an elected assessor, rather than an appointed one.
The Missouri House of Representatives passed HB 999 which would allow the Missouri State Tax Commission to withhold payments to Jackson County until the county is in compliance. The legislation is currently on the informal calendar for the Missouri Senate. Our office will have an update for this legislation with the Senate Bill number and a call to action to contact your representatives.
Towing Regulations & Enforcements
On Monday May 5th the Jackson County Legislature amended and passed legislation concerning vehicle towing regulations. Due to the community's concerns of recent predatory towing practices as well as unfair fees for small business owners, the topic gained much attention during the meeting. The Intergovernmental Affairs Committee held a public hearing and heard testimony from constituents both opposing and supporting the legislation. After hearing concerns from the community and considering comparing regulations in neighboring counties, the Legislature passed an amended version of Ordinance No. 5978.
Utility Companies Submit Requests for Usage Increases
Spire has submitted a request with the Missouri Public Service Commission (PSC) to increase usage rates. The request in total would increase revenue by approximately $290 Million. Approximately $54 Million of this total proposal is already being collected as a line item on customers' bills as the Infrastructure System Replacement Surcharge (ISRS). The remaining increase is approximately $236 Million which would equate to about a 15% annual increase to customers. Spire estimates this to be an average increase of $14. The company says the request is necessary due to; "infrastructure investments, inflationary costs since their last case, increased costs of service and weather and conservation impacts." If approved, this base rate increase would take effect no later than October 24, 2025.
CALL TO ACTION: Customers can attend public hearings and submit testimony on this topic. Customers can ask questions and testify. The first half of the hearing is dedicated for questions to Spire, the Missouri Office of the Public Counsel and the PSC staff. The second half of the hearing is dedicated for PSC Commissioners and a regulatory law judge to hear testimony as part of the official public record concerning the case. The Q&A portion is not documented as evidence for the commissioners.
In-Person Hearing in Kansas City:
- Wednesday June 4th 2025 at Gregg Klice Community Center at 6 PM, 1600 E 17th St. Kansas City, MO 64108
- See the full in-person hearing schedule here. Locations include St. Louis, Joplin and St. Joseph
Anyone is welcome to attend the in-person hearing listed above, no registration is necessary.
Virtual Public Hearings:
1. June 3, 2025 at 12:00 PM
- Meeting Number / Access Code: 2866 755 5885
- Password: 0107
2. June 3, 2025 at 6:00 PM
- Meeting Number Access Code: 2867 463 1122
- Password: 0107
ATTEND BY PHONE (LISTENING ONLY): Dial tollfree 855-718-6621. Listen to the prompts and enter the meeting number and password listed above.
ATTEND BY WEB-EX: Go to www.webex.com OR download Cisco WebEx Meetings app. Enter the meeting number and password listed above
TO SUBMIT COMMENT AT A VIRTUAL HEARING: Those that wish to comment and not just listen must join by WebEx, not by telephone. To submit comment, register by calling 800-392-4211 before 5 PM on Monday June 2nd.
If you would like to make written comments or request additional information, the PSC can be contacted at pscinfo@psc.mo.gov. Written communication can be mailed to:
Missouri Public Service Commission
PO BOX 360
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Comments can also be submitted electronically at the PSC's website via their electronic filing system: Submit Comments | Missouri Public Service Commission
This request to increase rates comes 3 years after Spire's last approval in 2022, and only one year after Evergy's recent increase approval in 2024. Although no public hearings are currently scheduled for Evergy, public hearings held in late summer of 2024 revealed strong opposition to the rate increases from the general public, small business owners as well as public officials. Customers can still email the PSC to submit comment on Evergy at pscinfo@psc.mo.gov. Be sure to reference the case number when emailing the Public Service Commission on either case.
2025 Spire Increase Case Number: GR-2025-0107
2024 Evergy Increase Case Number: ER-2024-0189
I-70 Closures
The Improve I-70 Project has began significant work on the replacement of the 23rd Street bridge downtown, as well as beginning progress on the 5 mile stretch between 31st Street and Prospect where travelers can expect lane closures off and on for the next 3 years. In recent weeks the construction has impacted traffic both East and West bound. It is advised to take an alternative route if possible during busy hours.
Senior Tax Property Tax Credit Program
AKA: "Senior Tax Freeze"
Applicants have until June 30, 2025 to apply for the Senior Property Tax Credit and have 2024 as their baseline year. After June 30th of this year applications received will be for the 2025 year.
Over 40,000 applications have been received and approved. 95% of applicants are approved when their application is processed. Others may have to submit more documents.
If you have applied and have not yet received an approval letter, please contact my aide, Ashley at 816-881-3274.
Update & Clarification on the Blind Pension Fund
The state of Missouri has clarified that the only taxing entity that is exempt from this program is the Missouri Blind Pension Fund. This is currently the lowest tax levy of the taxing entities in Jackson County and all taxpayers including seniors will still have to pay it. The current levy for the Blind Pension Fund is $0.03 per $100 of assessed property value. Please note that this update and clarification is coming from the state and not from the county.
Apply for the Senior Property Tax Credit:
Senior Property Tax Credit Program - Jackson County MO
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