Incoming assessor Marcus Farr, who took office Monday, Sept. 1, has issued a statement saying he seeks to restore trust in the assessor’s office and the assessment process.
“I want to take this opportunity to extend my gratitude to the citizens of Platte County for entrusting me with the responsibility of serving as a steward of your interests and as an advocate for fairness, transparency, and accountability in our community,” Farr said in the release. “I recognize that the past months have been challenging. With much that has appeared in the media, trust has been strained and relationships have been damaged. It is now our responsibility — together — to rebuild. Division cannot move us forward; unity, communication, and transparency must guide the way. I am committed to restoring trust, repairing relationships, and fostering open dialogue with each of you. My office is open to your input, feedback, and ideas, and I welcome every citizen to engage in this process with us.”
Over the past several months, accusations have flown between the county commission office and the assessor, also involving the board of equalization, whose members former assessor David Cox accused of unethical behavior. Cox’s alleged inaction on completing reassessments led to state intervention.
Just two weeks ago, a negotiated agreement was reached that requires the county to raise all residential property values 6.835% over the 2024 assessed values. The State Tax Commission originally ordered Platte County to increase property values by 15 percent.
Cox reacted to this arrangement by criticizing the commission, and the board of equalization, which he says is the root of assessment problems in the county.
“It is outrageous that the State Tax Commission’s order signed by our Board of Equalization (BOE) does nothing to correct the discriminatory values still on the books,” Cox said. “Many residential properties, including two of the three BOE members’ own properties, are still far below the values their neighbors’ properties have now been raised to.”
It’s this kind of political in-fighting that Farr said he wants to avoid during his term.
“I also want to make one promise very clear: politics will not play a role in this office,” Farr said. “That is the foundation on which I campaigned, and it is the standard by which I intend to lead.
It is important to remember that the assessor’s office operates under the authority of constitutional provisions, state statutes, laws, and regulations. These safeguards are in place to ensure fairness and equity for all taxpayers, and I am fully committed to upholding them with integrity.”
Farr said that while market forces ultimately determine property values, “it is our duty to measure and reflect those trends accurately and consistently. We do not set the market; we follow it. The primary purpose of the assessor’s office is to ensure that the property tax burden is distributed fairly and equitably among all taxpayers.
“As your assessor, my pledge is to provide clarity, accountability, and service to every citizen of Platte County. I look forward to working together to rebuild trust and strengthen the relationship between this office and the community we serve.”