IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
AN ORDINANCE establishing a commercial property assessment rate cap in Jackson County, Missouri
Intro
ORDINANCE NO. 5990, June 18, 2025
INTRODUCED BY Manuel Abarca IV, County Legislator
Body
WHEREAS, under Missouri state law, commercial real property is assessed at thirty-two percent (32%) of its fair market value for the purposes of ad valorem taxation; and
WHEREAS, comparable jurisdictions in neighboring Kansas counties, including Johnson County and Wyandotte County, assess commercial properties at rates closer to twenty-five percent (25%) of fair market value, creating a competitive disadvantage for Jackson County; and
WHEREAS, Missouri's Hancock Amendment limits overall property tax revenue increases to prevent excessive taxation by requiring revenue neutrality, except for new construction and improvements; and
WHEREAS, recent property assessments in Jackson County have led to a significant increase in tax liability for commercial property owners, with an average increase of twenty-four point three percent (24.3%) compared to thirteen point eight seven percent (13.87%) in neighboring Clay County; and
WHEREAS, the Jackson County Legislature finds it necessary to establish a local policy limiting commercial property tax assessment increases in order to promote economic competitiveness, provide stability to business owners, and ensure fair taxation; now therefore,
BE IT ORDAINED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, as follows:
SECTION 1. - SHORT TITLE
This Ordinance shall be known and may be cited as the "Commercial Property Assessment Rate Cap Ordinance."
SECTION 2. - DEFINITIONS
As used in this Ordinance:
? "Commercial real property" shall have the same meaning as defined under Missouri law.
? "Assessment cap" refers to a limitation on the increase of assessed valuation applied to commercial property for ad valorem tax purposes.
SECTION 3. - ESTABLI...
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