(James Strahan back. Ferris Brown front)The battle was moved to Cole County last week - It's Taney County Assessor James Strahan vs. the state of Missouri. The move is important because it puts the war to the state's tax collection arm on home turf.
Strahan is challenging the state who believes Taney County property taxes are being assessed too low. His message can be summed up by his January 2008 statement, "I'm not a puppet of the state." The state disagrees showing muscle by proving he's "half owned" by cutting off their portion of his office's funds.
The commissioners, Taney County Presiding Commissioner Chuck Pennel, Taney County Western District Commissioner Ron Herschend and James Strahan's brother Danny Strahan have voted to front costs while James Strahan works everything out with the state. To date, Pennel has been the most resistant.
Strahan's fight is a noble one. From his perspective, real estate values, are inflated by West Coast Buyers. Some real estate brokers challenge the assessment review process. When an assesment is challenged, the board of equalization can trump Stahan's review. State legislation passed during this years session - sponsored by Representative Dennis Wood - puts two real estate professionals on the Board of Equalization.The bill also takes the assessor off the board. Representative Maynard Wallace voted against the bill.
One of four things will happen in Cole county:
1. The state will roll over give up their claim to power
2. Strahan will make a compromise between how much the state wants to raise taxes in the county.
3. The state will win the suit
4. Taney County will win the suit
Neither of the last two options will likely end the fight and (at least from the state's side) will result in an extended appeals process.
The problem is that Taney County's leadership concedes more money is needed to provide services for residents. Currently, lobbying money is being "organized" to fight for a sales tax increase. Traditionally, the areas the tax is to support would come out of a general fund.
Whatever happens in Cole County, the general funds will increase. The legal battle will only answer, "how much."
