01/12/2021
Jackson County needs to improve controls and procedures in its assessment department to ensure effective and efficient future reassessments, an audit released today by State Auditor Nicole Galloway says. Those were some of the recommendations in the final report of the Auditor's independent review of Jackson County government finances. The county received a rating of "fair."
"After the reassessments in 2019, the great majority of property owners in Jackson County saw their assessed valuations go up — in some cases, significantly. We heard from many concerned taxpayers who were understandably alarmed by the sudden increase," Auditor Galloway said. "Our review of the assessment department found many problems that we've recommended be addressed to ensure better oversight of this process in the future. To their credit, the responses by the county legislature and county executive to this report indicate they will move forward with the recommendations."
As a result of the 2019 biennial reassessment, Jackson County's total assessed valuation increased by almost 20 percent. A report on property tax rates by the State Auditor's Office found this increase was over 70 percent more than any other county in the state; it also was significantly higher than the typical biennial reassessment increase.
Several
lawsuits were filed against the county over the increases, and many property
owners appealed the increased valuation. While several of the appeals from 2019
are still pending, various appeals resulted in the assessed valuation of approximately
13,000 parcels being decreased approximately $246 million.
Last
October, the County Legislature authorized a contract with a different
reassessment consultant. The audit recommended that county officials closely
monitor the biennial reassessment process both in the immediate and future
years.
The
audit found that several contracts related to the previous reassessment
consultant were allowed to expire before being renewed, and that the county
paid invoices to the consultant for services during the lapse period. Invoices submitted
did not provide supporting documentation of the details of the services
provided and expenses billed to the county. The audit also noted that the
director of assessment did not file, or timely file, required annual reports
regarding assessed valuations.
The
audit highlighted concerns about leases for two county-owned properties: the
Old City Hall and the regional animal shelter, both in Independence. The Old
City Hall was leased for 50 years at $1 a year with the provision that the
tenant would restore and maintain the property. A site visit showed the
property to be vacant and in poor condition. The county was unable to provide a
cost-benefit analysis documenting how owning and funding operations at the
animal shelter was reasonable and in the best interests of the county, when the
majority of the animals sheltered are for the City of Independence.
The
complete audit report is available here.
This
is the last audit report that will be issued as part of the performance audit
of Jackson County, which was done by the State Auditor's Office at the request
of the Jackson County Legislature and recommendation of the County Executive. Four
other reports have been previously issued including: Jackson County
Community Backed Anti-Crime Tax (COMBAT) Fund, Jackson County
No-Bid Contracts and Other Expenditures, Jackson County
Budgets and Transfers, and Jackson County
Payroll and Personnel Issues.