brian johnson

1 week ago | kmbc.com | brian johnson

NOW TAKING OVER THAT CASE. A BUSINESS OWNER IN THE WEST BOTTOMS SAYS HIGHER JACKSON COUNTY PROPERTY ASSESSMENTS ARE THE LAST STRAW. HE’S CLOSING UP, AND HE PLANS TO SELL KMBC NINE. BRIAN JOHNSON IS GETTING ANSWERS ON THE REASONS WHY HE FEELS HE CAN NO LONGER HANG ON. THIS PROPERTY WAS ON TRUMBULL, ALAN AND REYNOLDS SEED COMPANY. INCREASED PROPERTY TAXES, PUSHED CONRAD MCKINNEY OUT. HE’S SELLING. IT’S A LOT OF PHYSICAL STRESS. NOT KNOWING IN TWO YEARS IF THEY COULD DO ANOTHER 600%.

1 week ago | kmbc.com | brian johnson

A professional data analyst and Jackson County resident is raising concerns about what he calls major inconsistencies in recent commercial property tax assessments. Preston Smith, who describes himself as a taxpayer advocate, filed a Sunshine request and analyzed hundreds of thousands of parcels using his custom-built computer system. What he uncovered, he said, shows troubling disparities. “Why did that one only go by 100? And all the rest of them went up over 400?

2 weeks ago | kmbc.com | brian johnson

Some Kansas City homeowners say their livelihoods are in jeopardy after Jackson County reclassified their short-term rental properties as commercial real estate. It effectively removed a cap on property tax increases and, in some cases, doubled their tax bills. Laura Williams, a local homeowner who operates short-term rentals to support herself and her mother, said the change has hit hard. “One of my properties is going up by $7,000, another by $4,000,” Williams said.

2 weeks ago | kmbc.com | brian johnson

Demonstrators marched through downtown Kansas City on Tuesday in protest of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) policies.The protest began near Southwest Boulevard and Avenida Cesar E. Chavez and moved into the downtown area, with some carrying Mexican flags and shouting anti-ICE slogans. Tuesday’s demonstration followed days of unrest and anti-ICE protests in cities including Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

2 weeks ago | kmbc.com | brian johnson

Jackson County lawmakers passed a budget Monday, six months past the deadline, securing increased support for nonprofits and affordable housing programs. The $531 million spending plan ensures county services remain operational and includes $6 million in additional funding for local nonprofits compared to last year. “I like to think that my leadership was able to bring legislators on board and find common ground to move this forward,” said Chairman DaRon McGee.