KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Grandview Mayor Leonard D. Jones expressed concern about this year’s assessment process, detailing errors that impact Grandview residents and businesses, in a letter this week to Jackson County leaders.
The letter, dated July 29 and addressed to Jackson County Executive Frank White Jr. and members of the county legislature, said the increase in property values in the city will force Grandview leaders to pull back on the mill levy rate to stay in compliance with state law.
Jones said such a move would cost the city $1 million in lost property tax revenue.
“The outrageous assessed valuations on Grandview homes will have a negative effect on our families’ budgets,” Jones wrote in the letter.
Jones also says the process didn’t adequately reflect new growth in the city.
In a statement Friday regarding the letter, Jones reiterated his concerns and added that he and Grandview city staff are working with the county on possible solutions.
“My job is to look out for Grandview and that’s what I’m doing," he said in a statement Friday afternoon from his office. "County Executive White and his staff have been very responsive. They are actively reviewing my concerns and are scheduling a meeting with Grandview staff. We have a little over a month before assessments are certified. I trust any errors will be corrected for the sake of Grandview residents and businesses.”
The 2019 assessment process has been the focus of questions regarding massive increases in the value of some Jackson County property owners.
The Jackson County Board of Equalization has extended the deadline twice now for property owners to file a formal appeal of assessed values. The new deadline is Sept. 3.
