10/21/2025
Legislator Abarca Commends Executive Action and Legislative Progress on Commercial Property Tax Reform
Jackson County Legislator Manuel Abarca IV is celebrating the advancement of Resolution 22080, which was introduced on Monday, October 15, 2025, marking a major step toward bringing fairness and accountability to the county’s property tax system.
The resolution directs the County Executive and Director of Assessment to review commercial property valuation increases exceeding fifteen percent (15%) from the prior year, excluding new construction or significant improvements and to prepare a financial impact report for the Legislature. The review will focus on commercial properties valued at five million dollars or less (as of 2023), responding to widespread concerns about dramatic and unrealistic increases that have forced or threatened to shutter small businesses across Jackson County.
“For years, small businesses have faced unpredictable and sometimes unmanageable property tax increases,” said Legislator Abarca. “This year, those challenges reached a breaking point. After hearing the community’s call to action and with a new County Executive demonstrating decisive leadership we collectively acted to bring accountability and fairness back into the process.”
Abarca praised County Executive Phil LeVota for his swift action and transparency since taking office, noting that LeVota has already identified cases where commercial tax bills were being changed without any action from property owners themselves.
“I want to commend Executive LeVota for his executive action and his clear-eyed approach to addressing this crisis,” Abarca added. “His leadership, along with the collaboration of my colleague Legislator Sean Smith, demonstrates that when we put people before politics, we can deliver real, immediate solutions for our communities.”
Resolution 22080 was formally approved by the Jackson County Legislature this week and takes effect immediately.
