Property Tax Relief for Teresa Blakeman
Teresa Blakeman is set to receive some much-needed property tax relief after being taxed for nearly two decades on a basement she never actually owned.
This situation came to light when Blakeman was in the process of purchasing home insurance. She discovered an error in her property tax assessment records from the Ray County Assessor’s Office; they inaccurately indicated that her home had a full basement, although, in reality, it was built on a slab. Interestingly, since her taxes were reflected on her mortgage statement, she hadn’t noticed the discrepancy until now.
Following this discovery, the Assessor’s Office sent someone to verify the property details and adjust the home’s value for the current tax year. However, Blakeman still felt uneasy about the accuracy of the information.
Seeking reassurance, she reached out to KMBC 9 Investigates for assistance. “I felt stuck, not knowing where to go or what to do,” she expressed. “This is not right. This is unfair.”
Ray County Assessor Linda Coleman, who took office in 2021, reacted promptly to the inquiry from KMBC 9. She opened the records, performed further investigations, and searched for possible solutions within Missouri’s tax regulations. Her team had already begun looking into Blakeman’s case, confirming that they were in a position to make necessary corrections.
Coleman mentioned that they had only faced limitations on corrections under state law for the past three years. On Wednesday, she decided to freeze the value of Blakeman’s home until 2027, which is expected to save her around $1,000.
“I would be upset if any value was placed on my property that didn’t belong,” Coleman stated. “When we find a fix, we strive to collaborate with the collector to explore our options.”
She added that Blakeman’s situation serves as an important reminder to everyone to check in with their insurance providers and local property tax assessors to ensure that their records are accurate.
“I got all the justice I could get,” Blakeman said, expressing her gratitude. She encourages fellow taxpayers to verify their own information to avoid similar issues.
