Jackson County Assessor Gail McCann Beatty informed elected officials about upcoming improvements aimed at simplifying the process for residents to pay their personal property taxes. These changes will include creating user-friendly accounts and streamlining tasks within the county’s assessment and collections departments.
The county courthouse in Independence is experiencing long lines, as customers wait to complete various tasks such as acquiring certificates of non-assessment and paying personal property tax bills.
According to McCann Beatty, the department has experienced a surge in demand for its services due to various factors. These include the county’s growth, limited space, understaffing, and a rise in police departments taking action against expired license plates.
The tax collection system faced additional issues when it was hit by a ransomware attack last week, causing it to go offline.
Three fresh faces joined the team on Monday as they embarked on their new roles in the department.
McCann Beatty announced that the department welcomed three new employees on Monday, with three additional hires scheduled to join in two weeks. However, there is still a need to find seven to eight more employees to complete the team.
The starting pay for the job is approximately $18.25 per hour, and you can find job openings listed online.
The department is also looking into options that would allow county residents to schedule appointments in advance, enabling them to bypass long queues.
In the coming month, McCann Beatty plans to introduce a proposal for the implementation of self-serve kiosks. These kiosks will provide residents with a convenient alternative to waiting in line for various tasks.
The county has the option of installing kiosks at various locations, such as libraries, Department of Motor Vehicles offices, and other areas outside the county’s courthouses.
According to McCann Beatty, she is of the opinion that having a centralized location for all services is the most efficient approach.
The county has been advised to convert its existing building at 1300 Washington Street in Kansas City into a centralized location for collections and assessment services. The proposed facility would be spacious enough to accommodate 20-25 staff members who will assist customers efficiently.
Some lawmakers are currently considering the possibility of selling the building located at 1300 Washington Street.
According to critics, the main argument against the location of the facility is its lack of centralization and insufficient parking options.
“I couldn’t care less about the location at the moment,” McCann Beatty expressed to legislators on Monday. “As long as you provide me with the space, it doesn’t matter to me. It doesn’t have to be 1300 Washington. I would even be content with an empty Kmart.”