The Jasper County assessor’s office last week began sending out notices to the owners of more than 2,200 properties — many in the Joplin tornado zone — alerting them to increases in the value of their properties.
The increases are kicking in as houses are rebuilt and returned to tax rolls after being removed from the rolls following the May 22, 2011, tornado, said Lisa Perry, administrative assistant to Connie Hoover, county assessor.
“A few of the properties are commercial, but most are residential and most are in the Joplin tornado area,” she said.
After the tornado, a landowner could remove his or her home from the tax rolls if it was made uninhabitable as a result of the storm.
Houses are returned to the tax rolls as repairs are completed. Homeowners are asked to notify the assessor’s office when they move back into their repaired or rebuilt home.
Some property values were hiked because the home was returned to the tax rolls for a full year, while it may have been assessed for only part of the year in 2011.
Perry said other values increased because repairs made as a result of the tornado improved the condition of the property.
“If the repairs improved the condition of the house over what it was before the tornado, there would be an increase from that,” she said.
Some of the notices also were because of new construction.
“If homeowners didn’t receive a notice, there has been no increase in their property value, because we didn’t increase the cost tables that we use,” she added.
Jasper County has nearly 60,000 real estate parcels. Normally, the only property value increases that are made during even-numbered years are properties that saw new construction.
Missouri law requires counties to reassess all properties in odd-numbered years.
Questions
Property owners who have questions or want to challenge an increase are asked to call the Jasper County assessor’s office at 417-625-4356 or 417-237-1036 by June 15.
Local News
Jasper County assessor sends tax notices to storm victims who returned home
- Local News
-
-
Old McDonald County Courthouse to hold grand opening celebration this weekend
As Jean Stratton-Bird made her way into the war memorial room at the Old McDonald County Courthouse on Thursday, she came face to face with the memories of her brother Eldon E. Stratton, who was lost in battle in 1943 during War World II. “He is finally home,” Stratton-Bird said.
-
Murder warrant issued in fatal domestic shooting
Police believe Doyle Handle shot himself after fatally shooting Dena Davenport during a domestic disturbance Thursday night at their residence in Grove. Officers responded to a 6:55 p.m. report of a shooting at the couple’s home on Wood Street on the southwest side of Grove and found Handle, 52, in the front yard with a gunshot wound to his jaw.
-
Local lawmakers review session accomplishments
Joplin area lawmakers cited accomplishments and disappointments in the just-concluded Missouri legislative session during a brunch Friday sponsored by the Neosho Chamber of Commerce. Measures benefiting veterans issues were addressed in the session that ended a week ago, along with work force and labor issues, lawmakers said.
-
Diamond High School band prepares for Liberty Bowl
Classes were winding down last week at Diamond High School, but not for members of the marching band. Instead, they dug out some new music and began their first rehearsals in preparation for their next major appearance — the AutoZone Liberty Bowl, which is scheduled for Dec. 31 in Memphis, Tenn.
-
Area pools ready for plunge; Schifferdecker opening still to be announced
Though this week’s mild temperatures may not signal swim season, most area pools are ready anyway. And, the mercury should rise a little this weekend to help those anxious to dive in. Highs will be in the low 80s today and Sunday. There is a chance for isolated thunderstorms on Monday, but the thermometer should hit 82 degrees, according to the National Weather Service.
-
Joplin School Board decision could take up to two weeks; Turner remains on paid leave
It could take up two weeks for the Joplin Board of Education to decide whether Randy Turner’s teaching contract should be terminated, the school district’s attorney, John Nicholas, said Friday.
-
Joplin insurance agent seeks donations for Moore, Okla.
After losing an office building and her home in the tornado on May 22, 2011, Loretta Bailey is familiar with the destruction that a tornado brings. The 400 households that her insurance agency helped through the aftermath of the tornado also know that loss. \
-
Families, friends invited to honor veterans with flags this weekend
Small lengths of plastic pipe have been installed behind the headstones of veterans graves in Joplin cemeteries so that every veteran will have a flag on Memorial Day.
-
Events, activities planned to honor veterans Monday
No ceremonies are planned at Joplin cemeteries this year or at Mount Hope Cemetery in Webb City, but a number of other events are scheduled in cities around the region.
-
Oklahoma gets far more than its share of disasters
Many states get hit frequently with tornadoes and other natural catastrophes, but Oklahoma is Disaster Central.
- More Local News Headlines
-
Old McDonald County Courthouse to hold grand opening celebration this weekend
