Missouri

Jackson County executive vows to fight Missouri order to roll back property tax assessments

Published

2 years ago

August 13, 2024

Jackson County executive vows to fight Missouri order to roll back property tax assessments

Jackson County officials say they plan to fight a recent ruling from the Missouri State Commission that ordered the county to roll back its 2023 property tax assessment.

The commission told Jackson County to reevaluate its 2023 assessments within 30 days, by Sept. 5. Jackson County Executive Frank White, along with County Assessor Gail McCann Beatty, County Administrator Troy Schulte and the county’s legal team, said Monday that they are exploring an appeal.

Deputy assessment director Maureen Monaghan said the commission’s ruling, should it go into effect, would hurt the taxing jurisdictions that rely heavily on revenue collected from property taxes.

“The State Tax Commission has never issued a retroactive assessment, because they know the detrimental impact it has on the schools, the cities, the fire districts, the libraries, the blind,” she said.

The order issued last week threatens to upend an assessment process that has already caused frustration for many homeowners and served as another flashpoint between Jackson County Executive Frank White and members of the county legislature.

Legislators say the county should not open up another legal challenge, and should instead focus on mitigating taxpayers’ burden while reducing harm to taxing districts like public schools, whose budgets could be in jeopardy.

“Everybody in the county knows that we did not do all this properly,” said Legislator Sean Smith. “It’s just such an obvious, glaring fact that, I’m asking for collaboration and believe the fix can be had so that we fix this for taxpayers, and we don’t harm the taxing entities any more than necessary.”

Many taxing jurisdictions and local governments already set their budgets and established their tax rates for this year — many of them lower than previous years to offset the increased assessed value. Taxpayers already paid their 2023 tax bill, which reflected the new values.

Calculations from County Executive White’s office estimate that schools and libraries could lose more than $86 million; cities and fire districts could lose nearly $20 million.

County officials say about $118 million has already been collected from property tax revenue and allocated to taxing jurisdictions like school districts.

“It’s been spent on teachers,” said County Administrator Troy Schulte. “It’s been spent on firefighters. It’s been spent on prosecutors, in the case of the county and corrections officer. That money is spent.”

The commission ordered Jackson County to cap increases of assessed values at no higher than 15%. That means most homeowners’ assessments will be lowered to 2021 or 2022 levels, plus a 15% increase.

The State Tax Commission alleges that Jackson County failed to follow state law and properly notify property owners in writing whose assessed values increased by 15%. The commission said the county also failed to comply with state law by not performing a physical inspection of properties where the assessed value went up by 15%.

The commission also said the county did not provide homeowners with clear written notice of their rights to a physical inspection.

Jackson County’s 2023 assessment process raised property assessments by an average of 30%, and some homeowners saw increases above 100%.

Next steps

It’s unclear what, exactly, will happen next, with county officials at odds over how to respond to the state tax commission’s ruling.

The commission does not give instructions beyond the order to roll back 2023 assessments.

The county could simply cap assessment values at 15% where applicable, and not issue a refund to taxpayers. Officials say that could open the county up to liability from taxpayers who may have overpaid in their 2023 tax bill.

The county could issue refunds to homeowners whose assessed property values increased by more than 15%. But county officials in the executive’s office say refunds are unlikely because much of the money has already been allocated to county services and taxing jurisdictions – and the county can’t afford it.

The county could issue refunds to eligible homeowners and then claw back that revenue by not allocating money to taxing districts over a certain period of time. That option, too, could be detrimental to city governments, public libraries and public schools.

Impact on school districts, libraries, cities

If the State Tax Commission’s order goes into effect, it’s likely to cause headaches for jurisdictions like school districts, public libraries and local governments that receive a significant portion of revenue from property taxes.

County Counselor Bryan Covinsky said 65% of property tax collections go to school districts and 17% of that money goes to localities like Kansas City.

Kansas City estimated about $9 million in property tax revenue for its 2024 fiscal year budget, which the city council passed in the spring. Property taxes are the city’s third-largest revenue source.

Covinsky said the county will work with school districts, cities and impacted taxing jurisdictions to figure out the best way to legally challenge the commission’s order.

“It’s unconstitutional, it’s unprecedented, and it has no evidence to even prove it,” Covinsky said. “We’re going to be working with the subdivisions that have actually been harmed by this decision that’s done retroactively that will affect the future of their budgets as well.”

What does it mean for taxpayers?

County Administrator Schulte said the commission’s ruling will likely not result in homeowners receiving a refund or tax credit, even if their home’s assessed value goes down. Instead, taxing jurisdictions like school districts will have to reevaluate the rate they ask taxpayers to pay based on their home’s assessed value.

School districts must set their levy by Oct. 1 each year. Missouri’s Hancock Amendment requires districts to lower their levies if property values increase more than inflation, so lower levies offset the impact of higher assessments on taxpayers.

Last year, higher assessments led to school districts in Lee’s Summit and Blue Springs to reduce their levies. Kansas City Public Schools is exempt from the Hancock Amendment, so its levy did not change.

Schulte said taxing districts will likely increase their levy, in line with Missouri law. He said when assessed values decline, the state constitution lets taxing districts raise their levy to allow districts to collect the amount of revenue they had already budgeted for.

“What you’re looking at is potentially the largest tax increases, because of the state tax commission order, in the history of Jackson County,” Shculte said. “I want to disabuse people that they’re going to get some lovely refund check because of this egregious error by the county. It’s not going to happen, and in most cases, you’re going to pay a lot more.”

Should taxing districts increase their levy this year, Schulte warned, homeowners whose assessed values did not exceed 15% could be hardest hit. Their tax bill would end up increasing to make up for the decrease in assessed values for other homeowners.

“That’s the reality we’re going to deal with over the next couple of months, unless we can find a solution to this,” Schulte said. “There is no free lunch in local government, so the bills have to be paid some way, somehow.”

Source link

Missouri

Missouri Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 3, 2026

Published

5 hours ago

March 4, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing

07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 5-8-9

Midday Wild: 8

Evening: 8-8-2

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing

Midday: 0-3-5-7

Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 0-9-9-5

Evening Wild: 6

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 3 drawing

Early Bird: 13

Morning: 15

Matinee: 09

Prime Time: 14

Night Owl: 14

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 3 drawing

04-07-09-17-21

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Missouri Lottery retailers can redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners have the option to submit their claim by mail or in person at one of Missouri Lottery’s regional offices, by appointment only.

To claim by mail, complete a Missouri Lottery winner claim form, sign your winning ticket, and include a copy of your government-issued photo ID along with a completed IRS Form W-9. Ensure your name, address, telephone number and signature are on the back of your ticket. Claims should be mailed to:

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For in-person claims, visit the Missouri Lottery Headquarters in Jefferson City or one of the regional offices in Kansas City, Springfield or St. Louis. Be sure to call ahead to verify hours and check if an appointment is required.

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link

Missouri

Missouri auditor to probe St. Louis arts funder after whistleblower complaint

Published

17 hours ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

Missouri auditor to probe St. Louis arts funder after whistleblower complaint

Missouri state Auditor Scott Fitzpatrick has launched a review of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis’ finances.

The audit is in response to complaints from a whistleblower who alerted the office to possible misuse of funds, Fitzpatrick said Tuesday. The auditor’s office then reviewed documents provided by RAC during an initial investigation before launching a full audit.

“We have verified the veracity of the whistleblower complaint, and have seen with our own eyes at this point records that give us enough concern that we want to proceed with an audit,” Fitzpatrick said.

The auditor’s report could be released late this year or in early 2027, he added. It would then be up to state and local authorities to follow up on any potential misconduct.

In an unsigned statement, RAC said it receives an annual audit from a firm selected by the offices of the St. Louis mayor and St. Louis County executive and that it shares the results publicly. “[We] are confident the findings from the state will mirror the success we have come to expect at the local level,” the statement says.

“We welcome the opportunity to provide documentation and context regarding our financial practices and grantmaking processes. As always, RAC will continue to focus on serving the St. Louis region’s arts and cultural community and maintaining the public’s trust,” the statement adds.

Potential issues identified in the state auditor’s initial investigation include the possibilities that RAC’s administrative expenses exceed what is allowed by statute, that leaders issued bonuses disallowed by the state constitution and that large grants were issued with no follow-up to ensure the money was used properly.

Fitzpatrick said his actions are not related to the commission’s choice of grant recipients.

Changes to the grant process

RAC distributes annual grants to arts organizations in St. Louis and St. Louis County. It is funded by a tax on hotel and motel stays. The commission distributed $3.7 million last year.

The organization suspended grant applications for fiscal 2026 due to “continuing financial volatility” and a new five-year plan, according to a note on its website. It will use applications received in 2025 as a guide for its 2026 grants.

Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis

Vanessa Cooksey took leadership of the Regional Arts Commission of St. Louis in 2021.

“This pause allows RAC to support eligible and high-scoring 2025 grantees and applicants while navigating financial challenges and planning for a stronger, more sustainable grant program in the future,” the note says.

RAC publishes a list of its annual grants online.

Vanessa Cooksey became president and CEO of the organization in 2020 after it spent a year without a permanent leader. Previous chief Felicia Shaw had stepped down in November 2019. Neither Shaw nor RAC provided a public explanation for Shaw’s departure.

Some smaller organizations had complained that during Shaw’s tenure they stopped receiving annual grants.

The Regional Arts Commission had a $13.4 million budget in 2024, according to tax documents. Cooksey received a $196,253 salary and $28,652 in additional compensation.

Continuing a process begun by Shaw, Cooksey oversaw changes to grant applications that she said were meant to simplify the process – including removing a longstanding split between its funding mechanisms for large and small organizations.

A key arts funder after the coronavirus pandemic

In November 2022, the St. Louis Board of Aldermen voted unanimously to direct $10.6 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to RAC. A measure that would have allocated another $1.6 million failed to pass the St. Louis County Council, so RAC was statutorily required to distribute ARPA funds only to groups based in St. Louis.

RAC has distributed $9.5 million of the ARPA money so far, funding 195 individual artists and 75 organizations.

Arts leaders said in 2022 that the sector supports more than 19,000 jobs and generates nearly $600 million a year – more than all local sports franchises combined.

The federal money was a boon to St. Louis artists and arts organizations following a steep decrease in funding at the height of the coronavirus pandemic due to decreased tourism in the region.

Tax revenues earmarked for RAC decreased from $9.5 million in fiscal 2019 to $2.8 million the next year. Tax revenue directed to RAC have increased but still lag behind the pre-pandemic total. The commission reported $7.5 million in tax revenue received in fiscal 2024.

RAC presented a new five-year plan with much fanfare in March 2020 but had little initial opportunity to implement it. Not long after, St. Louis officials put limits on public gatherings to tamp down spread of the virus that causes COVID-19.

Commission officials released a new five-year strategic roadmap in December 2025.

Source link

Missouri

Missouri Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 winning numbers for March 2, 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 3, 2026

Press Room

The Missouri Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing

02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 2 drawing

Midday: 3-3-4

Midday Wild: 2

Evening: 4-8-9

Evening Wild: 7

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 2 drawing

Midday: 6-4-2-2

Midday Wild: 5

Evening: 2-8-2-4

Evening Wild: 1

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash Pop numbers from March 2 drawing

Early Bird: 08

Morning: 12

Matinee: 05

Prime Time: 04

Night Owl: 02

Check Cash Pop payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Show Me Cash numbers from March 2 drawing

13-17-18-23-28

Check Show Me Cash payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Powerball Double Play numbers from March 2 drawing

21-28-58-65-67, Powerball: 25

Check Powerball Double Play payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

Ticket Redemption

Missouri Lottery

P.O. Box 7777

Jefferson City, MO 65102-7777

For additional instructions or to download the claim form, visit the Missouri Lottery prize claim page.

When are the Missouri Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Pick 4: 12:45 p.m. (Midday) and 8:59 p.m. (Evening) daily.
Cash4Life: 8 p.m. daily.
Cash Pop: 8 a.m. (Early Bird), 11 a.m. (Late Morning), 3 p.m. (Matinee), 7 p.m. (Prime Time) and 11 p.m. (Night Owl) daily.
Show Me Cash: 8:59 p.m. daily.
Lotto: 8:59 p.m. Wednesday and Saturday.
Powerball Double Play: 9:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Missouri editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link