THIS IS HIS FIRST WEEK IN ELECTED ROLE
In Missouri, terms of office for county assessors begin on Sept. 1 following the November election.
It’s the only county office that follows that schedule. All others assumed their elected duties on the Jan. 1 after the November election.
This means your new assessor for Platte County is Marcus Farr.
Farr won a close primary election over Dagmar Wood in August of 2024 and then was unopposed in the November 2024 general election.
Farr issued a press release on his first official day in office.
“I want to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the citizens of Platte County for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as a steward of your interests and as an advocate for fairness, transparency, and accountability in our community,” Farr said.
“I recognize that the past months have been challenging. With much that has appeared in the media, trust has been strained and relationships have been damaged. It is now our responsibility–together–to rebuild,” he added.
“Division cannot move us forward; unity, communication, and transparency must guide the way. I am committed to restoring trust, repairing relationships, and fostering open dialogue with each of you. My office is open to your input, feedback, and ideas, and I welcome every citizen to engage in this process with us,” he said in his press announcement.
“I also want to make one promise very clear: politics will not play a role in this office. That is the foundation on which I campaigned, and it is the standard by which I intend to lead,” Farr added.
“It is important to remember that the assessor’s office operates under the authority of constitutional provisions, state statutes, laws, and regulations. These safeguards are in place to ensure fairness and equity for all taxpayers, and I am fully committed to upholding them with integrity,” Farr wrote.
Market values for residential property are a hot topic in the county and throughout the state right now, what with the recent orders of valuation increases ordered by the Missouri State Tax Commission. Farr talked about property values in his news release.
“While market forces ultimately determine property values, it is our duty to measure and reflect those trends accurately and consistently. We do not set the market; we follow it,” Farr said.
“The primary purpose of the assessor’s office is to ensure that the property tax burden is distributed fairly and equitably among all taxpayers. It is important to note that our office is responsible for property valuation, not the setting of tax rates. Tax rates are established by the governing taxing districts,” he added.
“As your assessor, my pledge is to provide clarity, accountability, and service to every citizen of Platte County. I look forward to working together to rebuild trust and strengthen the relationship between this office and the community we serve,” Farr said in his news release.
