FAIRNESS, ACCURACY, RESTORING PUBLIC TRUST ARE GOALS
According to assessor Marcus Farr, as Platte County enters 2026, the assessor’s office is beginning a critical phase of preparation for the 2027 countywide reassessment—a process focused on fairness, accuracy, and restoring public trust in property valuations, he says.
For years, residents have voiced the same concerns:
“I know my value is correct—but my property is just like my neighbor’s, and their value is much lower than mine.”
“Why has my property been reassessed every cycle, while others haven’t been touched in years?”
In a news release this week, the county assessor explains it this way:
“These concerns are real. They are valid. And now, it is time to address them. The primary responsibility of the assessor’s office is to distribute the tax burden fairly and equally among all taxpayers. Equalization ensures that comparable properties are assessed comparably—across neighborhoods, property types, and taxing districts.
“Since taking office, I have identified significant valuation inequities. Some properties have been revisited repeatedly, while others have not been reassessed for many years. This imbalance has caused frustration, mistrust, and unequal tax responsibility.
“This reassessment is not about raising revenue. It is about correcting long-standing inconsistencies so no taxpayer pays more—or less—than their fair share.
“Missouri State Statute 137.115 requires counties to reassess real property every two years. When a property’s assessed value increases by more than 15% from the prior year (excluding new construction), a state-mandated physical inspection and owner notification are required.”
Farr says based on preliminary analysis, the Platte County Assessor’s Office estimates:
Just under 13,000 parcels will increase by more than 15%, requiring physical inspections. Approximately 14,000 parcels will increase by less than 15%. About 900 parcels will see minimal increases under 1%.
Approximately 8,000 parcels will decrease in value, the assessor says.
“These figures demonstrate a simple truth: equalization works in all directions. It does not target specific properties, neighborhoods, or taxpayers. It corrects inequities wherever they exist,” Farr said.
“Beginning Feb. 1, 2026, the assessor’s office will start conducting physical inspections on properties projected to increase by more than 15% from the prior.
Property owners in this category will receive written notice sent to the last known address on file and will have a 30-day window from the date of their letter to request an interior inspection before the required physical review is completed.
“This ensures every taxpayer has a meaningful opportunity to participate in the valuation process.”
For full transparency, property owners receiving a Greater Than 15% Notice from the prior year will see an estimated 2027 appraised value included in their letter. This value represents a preliminary projection only and may change following the required physical inspection and continued market analysis.
“To further support transparency, the Platte County Assessor’s Property Search system (“Beacon”) will display these estimated 2027 values for all properties, allowing property owners to compare their property with similar properties in their neighborhood and throughout the county.
“It is important to understand that all values shown are estimates and predictions, not final assessments. These figures are dictated by real estate market conditions and are live, working numbers that will fluctuate over time as inspections occur and market data changes.”
Property owners may access the Property Search by visiting www.co.platte.mo.us/assessor and selecting “Property Search.”
“Final assessed values will not be determined until all required physical inspections are completed and the reassessment process is finalized in accordance with Missouri law,” Farr said.
“This work is being done early, openly, and deliberately so that no one is surprised when the 2027 reassessment arrives,” Farr added.
“A change in property value—whether up or down—does not directly translate into a matching change in taxes.
The assessor’s office determines property values only. Tax rates are set by local taxing authorities, including school districts, cities, fire districts, and other jurisdictions.
Missouri’s Hancock Amendment further protects taxpayers by requiring taxing jurisdictions to roll back levy rates when assessed values rise significantly. This constitutional safeguard prevents taxing districts from receiving a windfall simply because property values increase,” the assessor stated.
“Even in periods of rising values, taxpayers are protected. The Hancock Amendment ensures revenue growth is controlled and fair,” Farr said.
“As part of this effort, I will be meeting with local school boards and other taxing authorities to explain the reassessment process and reinforce levy rollback requirements,” remarked Farr.
“These conversations are essential.”
“We want to ensure that levies are not inflated and that no taxing district receives unintended excess revenue. Fair assessments must be matched with responsible levy decisions,” said Farr.
“The 2027 countywide reassessment represents a long-needed step toward restoring balance and fairness across all properties in Platte County. Our goal is simple. Fairness. Transparency. Equal treatment for every property owner,” he said.
“The assessor’s office will continue providing updates, public information sessions, FAQs, and educational materials throughout the process and is committed to keeping the public informed every step of the way.”
For more information, visit: www.co.platte.mo.us/assessor
