Get the Popcorn: City of Independence Mulls Lawsuit Over Jackson County Property Taxes

Kansas City and Jackson County have been feuding over the county’s hiked property taxes, and now it looks like there may be more intergovernmental conflict coming—this time between Independence and Jackson County over the same issue. And I am so here for this “Royal” rumble:

One Missouri city is now one step closer to suing the county over property assessments. The vote from the council was unanimous.

This would mark the first time Independence would take legal action for this reason against the county if they (sic) were to sue. The councilman who introduced the resolution calls it unprecedented.

“This county has acted absolutely recklessly, savagely, against the citizens of Independence,” John Perkins, Independence City Councilman, said. . . .

The county says on average, people will see a 30% increase in their property tax but the issue is that many people have seen there’s (sic) go up way higher than just 30%.

A 30 percent property tax increase on average.

It’s also worth noting the backdrop against which this property tax conflict is set. As Jackson Countians grapple with how they are going to pay the added burden stemming from the county’s reassessments of their property, Kansas City, Independence, and Jackson County all are also fighting for the Kansas City Royals to stay put, as the Royals’ current home is geographically advantageous to all three governments. Open internecine fighting between these governments is not great to begin with,* but having that conflict happen at a critical moment in the Royals negotiations is illuminating, if not shocking.

Whether the tone and tenor of the Jackson County property tax conflicts are related to the Royals’ forthcoming decision on a new stadium is not certain. What is certain is that cutting the team a sweetheart deal to stay in Jackson County as the county ramps up taxes on everyone else is going to be a tough sell. Get the popcorn.

*unless you’re, say, the director of government accountability at a local think tank who thinks local governments should feel the pain of accountability more acutely