County legislator’s letter on reassessment

Several residents of Valentine are among those in Midtown reporting sharply increased property tax assessments.

County legislator Crystal William has sent a letter to Midtown  and other neighborhoods regarding the recent property tax reassessment notices.

Some residents are planning to appeal their reassessments, saying their home’s value jumped in value according to the county’s assessment.

An informal poll of Midtown residents on our Facebook page found about half of the people we heard from said their assessment stayed the same. The other half reported increases between $20,000 and $80,000. (The poll only included 10 residents, so it’s obviously not scientific but it shows some of the variation across Midtown).

Williams says in her letter she’s heard from people whose  property tax assessments have increased significantly.She offers this advice on how to appeal the reassessment.

• File an initial “informal appeal”. This process is easy and can be done online.  You will need your parcel number and pin number which can be found on your assessment letter. This must be done no later than June 14th, 2013.
• If you are unable to get relief through the initial appeal you have the right to file a “formal appeal” with the Jackson County Board of Equalization (BOE). You must file this appeal no later than July 8th, 2013. For more information about the county appeals process call 816-881-4601.
• If you are still not satisfied you may further appeal to the Missouri State Tax Commission on or before September 30th, 2013.

“I apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused any of you,” WIlliams said in the letter. ” The assessment department is working hard to resolve any discrepancies. We will be having a representative of the Assessment Department address the Legislature on Monday, May 13th 2013 at 2:30pm at the JACO Independence Courthouse Annex located at 308 W. Kansas Independence, MO 64050 and welcome the public to attend.”