EDITOR:
On Monday, the Platte County Commission passed 2026-CO-110, ratifying the Homestead Act that the people overwhelmingly voted for in April. Two weeks ago, it came to my attention that Collector Sheila Palmer was trying to keep the Homestead Act from being implemented due to the capacity of her software vendor. I wrote a letter to the editor calling out Collector Palmer, as well as Clerk Jera Pruitt for their failures to solve this issue. As they found the time in November 2025 to vote themselves 30% pay raises, ironically, using the extra work imposed by the legislature as an example for the need of that pay raise, but then when given the opportunity to protect homeowners from rising and encroaching taxes, Collector Sheila Palmer refuses to implement this for the people of Platte County.
In fact, last week the collector’s attorney informed the commissioners that she would sue them if they passed this order that protects homeowners.
On Monday Commissioner Vanover told the public the law is clear and does not give the collector the option; the Homestead Act says the collector “shall.” As an elected official, I have been an outspoken advocate for taxpayer and homeowner protections against rising taxes, and I think it is absolutely egregious to vote for your own pay raise and then fail to do the work the people expect you to do.
The commission and Wes Minder, our county administrator, who spoke before the commission, stated that he has identified data using mailing addresses saving citizens a burdensome application process, has done most of the work for the collector’s office. Now all to be done is a simple spreadsheet math formula. So, why it cannot be implemented seems to be the wrong attitude when it’s an elected officials’ job to follow the law.
On behalf of the people of Platte County, I urge Collector Sheila Palmer to implement this much needed tax relief for the people of Platte County. If you are affected by rising taxes and need the relief you voted for then you can contact her at: spalmer@co.platte.mo.us, phone (816) 858-3356.
–Christopher L. Wright
Recorder of Deeds
