Urgent Request for Equitable Taxation – Amendment to the 2025 General Obligation Bonds Measure

We, the undersigned residents, property owners, and concerned citizens of Independence, Missouri, respectfully petition the City Council and municipal leadership to amend the April 2025 General Obligation (GO) Bond ballot measure to ensure fairness, equity, and protection for low-income and vulnerable populations.

Background and Justification:

In 2023, Jackson County conducted mass property reappraisals that resulted in unprecedented and—in many cases—unlawful valuation increases, violating state assessment caps, due process requirements, and transparency standards. The Missouri State Tax Commission has since ordered those increases to be rolled back, and legal proceedings are underway as of 2025 to settle this matter.

 

Despite this ongoing legal uncertainty, the City of Independence is moving forward with a $200 million General Obligation Bond measure, set for vote in April 2025. This bond would be funded through increased property taxes, calculated using the very assessments currently being challenged.

 

This puts an unfair burden on lower-income homeowners and renters, many of whom were hit hardest by the flawed reassessments and are already at risk of displacement or foreclosure.

Petition Request:

We hereby call on the City of Independence to immediately amend the proposed General Obligation Bonds ballot measure to include the following clause:

 

> “Residential properties with a current assessed value below $200,000 shall be exempt from any additional property tax levies related to the 2025 General Obligation Bonds.”

 

Objectives of the Amendment:

 

1. Protect Vulnerable Populations

Exempting lower-value homes from the bond-related tax increase shields seniors on fixed incomes, low-income families, and single-parent households from further financial hardship.

 

2. Ensure Equity in Taxation

This amendment ensures that those with higher-value properties or commercial holdings—who are better equipped to absorb costs—carry a more appropriate share of the financial responsibility.

 

3. Prevent Exploitation of Illegally Inflated Property Values

Until the Jackson County tax assessment lawsuit is resolved, using these disputed values as a basis for taxation is both premature and unethical.

 

4. Rebuild Public Trust

Taking action to correct this oversight will signal that the City of Independence stands with its residents—not against them.

Proposed Implementation:

The City Council should call an emergency session to consider and pass an amendment to the bond ordinance before the ballot printing deadline.

 

The revised ballot language should explicitly state the $200,000 threshold exemption and apply it to all residential parcels.

 

The city should conduct an impact analysis to ensure that vital services remain funded while preserving equity.

 

Public education campaigns must clearly inform voters of the amendment, its rationale, and who is affected.

 

Conclusion:

This petition is not a rejection of the city’s need for infrastructure, safety, or public investment. It is a call for responsible and just governance. We urge the City of Independence to act in good faith and amend the GO Bonds measure to reflect the realities facing its people.