The Missouri State Auditor's Office released a report this week condemning Jackson County's 2023 property valuation cycle as 'flawed and stacked' against taxpayers. The audit, requested by the Jackson County Legislature, found that the appeals process was confusing and often inaccessible, with homeowners required to provide documentation to support their claims while the assessment staff were not held to the same standard. The report indicated that the Board of Equalization relied heavily on computer-generated values without adequate in-person appraisals, violating state law when property values increased by more than 15%. The audit also revealed that 35% of taxpayers did not receive timely notifications about their appeal hearings, undermining their ability to contest valuations effectively. In response to the audit, Interim County Executive Phil LeVota and the Jackson County Legislature acknowledged the need for improvements to restore taxpayer trust. The State Tax Commission has mandated that future property value increases be capped at 15% for the 2025 assessment cycle, while tax credits will be issued to homeowners affected by the 2023 valuations. A more detailed version of the audit is expected to be released soon.