Feud between Legislators, White continues as letter sent to AG calling for investigation

The ongoing feud between Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. and county legislators reached a new height this week, with three legislators calling for the Missouri Attorney General to investigate White.


On Tuesday, the Missouri State Tax Commission (STC) directed Jackson County to base 2025 assessments on corrected 2023 and 2024 assessments. The commission also reaffirmed the order to roll back earlier assessments.

White indicated in a press release following the ruling that the County would not comply, stating that the "STC has appealed that decision and the case is currently pending before the Missouri Court of Appeals. Now, in a clear attempt to circumvent the court’s authority, the STC is issuing a new order attempting to force Jackson County to implement the very order the court threw out."
 
“This is shocking,” White said in the statement. “They are trying to push through the same order the court already determined was unenforceable and do it while their appeal is still pending. That’s not just shocking, it’s dangerous.”
 
“If the STC can arbitrarily change values and shift the tax burden on a whim, what stops them from raising your home’s value years after you’ve already paid your taxes?” said White. “That should scare every taxpayer, especially those who have been undervalued for years and may be forced to pay more years later.”
 
Last week, Jackson County announced it would voluntarily limit 2025 residential property assessment increases to no more than 15%. 
 
“We made the decision to limit increases because the process had become too uncertain to rely on,” White said. “Today’s order is another example of the unpredictability that made a stable, responsible path forward so important.”

Legislators Manny Abarca, Venessa Huskey, and Sean Smith sent a letter to Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey calling for a formal review into actions taken by White. 

In a release, Abarca said the letter details serious concerns over legal and ethical breaches that may compromise the financial stability and governance of Jackson County. 


Abarca states the following issues were raised in the letter:  
"Failure to Commit Full-Time to Office: County Charter mandates the Executive serve full-time. Mr. White’s simultaneous role as coach for a minor league baseball team, the Monarchs, appears to significantly interfere with his county duties. 

Budget Irregularities: The Executive has not provided the Legislature with the required fiscal data for 2023 and 2024 to support the 2025 budget proposal, placing legislative oversight in jeopardy. 

Unlawful Disbursement of Funds: Amid an ongoing legal dispute over the 2025 budget, Mr. White’s administration uploaded and acted on the 2024 budget as if it were lawfully enacted for 2025—circumventing the Legislature and removing financial safeguards. 

Veto of Critical Ordinance: The Executive’s veto of Ordinance 5958 directly contradicts a court-upheld State Tax Commission Order, putting the county’s upcoming bi-annual property reassessment at risk and threatening the financial health of residents and taxing jurisdictions."


“These actions undermine not only our local government’s financial foundation, but also the trust of Jackson County residents,” Abarca said. “We must be accountable to taxpayers and, above all else, we must be fiscally responsible with the funds constituents entrust us with, and we cannot afford another failed attempt at an appeal”.

In a release Wednesday evening, White responded to the letter sent to the Attorney General.

​“The letter recently sent to the Missouri Attorney General by a small group of Jackson County legislators is a deeply disappointing attempt to mislead the public through false and politically motivated accusations. This coordinated attack does not reflect the facts, the law or the truth about my commitment to the people of Jackson County."
 
“As County Executive, I have upheld every responsibility of this office with integrity, accountability and full-time dedication. I was elected to lead, not to play politics, and I remain focused on advancing the work that matters most – delivering critical services, ensuring fiscal stability and supporting our communities. My administration continues to operate within the framework of the County Charter and state law, even as others choose division over collaboration."
 
“What our residents need is steady, principled leadership, not sensationalism. These attacks are a distraction from the real work that must be done to strengthen our county and serve every person who calls it home. I will not be deterred. My focus remains on doing the job I was elected to do and doing it with integrity.”