TKC BREAKING NEWS!!! INSIDERS DEMAND LEGISLATURE LOOK AT JACKSON COUNTY ASSESSMENT DIRECTOR'S CONTRACT AMID MORE MISSOURI STATE LAW QUESTIONS!!!

In 2018 former Missouri State Representative Gail McCann Beatty was appointed as the new director of the Jackson County Assessment Department by Executive Frank White and her tenure has been one of the most contentious in Courthouse history.

Now, behind the scenes . . .

INSIDERS ENCOURAGE THE LEGISLATURE TO REEVALUATE THE ASSESSMENT DIRECTOR'S CONTRACT!!!

The effort is a long shot but still worth consideration . . .

Her contract is up for renewal and there's an e-mail floating around asking the Legislature to get involved.

Here's the word and the answer to a lot of questions we've been getting overnight:

"The Legislature won't be voting on renewing GMB’s contract and (Exec) Frank White is simply going to allow her to stay past her contract's end. However, the Legislature does, in fact, have the power to end her contract."

Now . . .

There are a lot of reasons people are upset with Ms. Beatty. She hasn't been helpful in the process and has even been verbally combative with angry residents questioning her tactics. To be fair, tempers have run hot throughout this money fight that threatens to displace many residents.

However, other Courthouse insiders offer a more informed perspective . . .

LAWSUIT CHALLENGES OVER MISSOURI STATE REGS IN RAISING PROPERTY TAXES OVER 15% WITHOUT PHYSICAL INSPECTION HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BANKRUPT JACKSON COUNTY!!!

Here's the word:

"Noticed this in your posts and it's is essentially the heart of the complaints against property tax increases -- It's right there in black and white: The County didn't conduct physical inspections when they raised taxes over 15%. That's mandated by Missouri law and opens them up to complaints and damages from just about every lawyer in Kansas City when the court sides with one of the lawsuits pending . . . And they will."

Don't take TKC's word for it . . .

Here's a skillfully documented journalism on the topic that deserves a second look:

KCTV5: Lawsuit argues Jackson County skipped physical inspections in assessments, asks judge to provide a remedy

Money line:

"The suit was filed on behalf of four homeowners who saw their properties increase anywhere from 57% to more than 400%, but the implications could be far reaching. It points to assessor Gail McCann Beatty’s use of photos instead of inspections and says that simply does not satisfy state statutes."

As always, the implication is what's really important here . . .

Insiders warn that the lawsuits are a bigger economic threat to Jackson County than most realize and the court is going to require more evidence than just bold statements from elected officials.

So far taxpayers haven't been offered any explanation for the increases that seemingly ignore Missouri rules as weary taxpayers confront today's deadline and legal arguments continue into 2020.

Developing . . .