TAX BOARD ERRED, SAYS THOMASON IN INDEX ISSUE

The state Tax Commission has erred in its handling of reassessment, a state lawmaker says.

State Rep. Larry Thomason, D-Kennett, said the Tax Commission shouldn't have imposed a statewide minimum cost index for real estate assessments.

Assessments should be based solely on the fair market value of property within each county.

The assessed value of property shouldn't be tied to a statewide minimum cost index, which may not reflect fair market value in a particular county, he said.

"They drew the line and said everybody should be above the line," Thomason said. "The policy is grossly unfair."

The veteran lawmaker said the Tax Commission "misinterpreted and misapplied" state law as it relates to reassessment.

Thomason has tried since the summer of 1995 to get the issue resolved.

He supports the principle of reassessment. Property assessments should be re-evaluated regularly to assure they reflect the fair market value in a county, he said.

Thomason said that allows for fair taxation. "The whole purpose is that everybody pays their fair share."

Dunklin County, Thomason's home county, has taken the Tax Commission to court over the cost-index issue.

Dunklin County Assessor Donna Abmeyer did a major reassessment in 1995, hiking the index from 1.17 to 1.40.

Last year, the commission told Abmeyer its index needed to be increased to 1.96 for 1997.

The commission then said it would settle for an index of 1.70, the minimum it is allowing counties.

But Abmeyer claims even that is too high. The county's index should be 1.56, she said.