Saline County Grants Partial Tax Refund to Blackburn Resident

Commissioners approve $1,018 refund after property owner overpaid taxes due to unrecorded home demolition.

Mar. 27, 2026 at 8:42pm

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A detailed architectural illustration of a modest single-story home with a partially demolished roof, conveying a sense of neglect and disrepair through muted earth-toned colors and a focus on the damaged structure and overgrown landscaping.A partial tax refund highlights ongoing issues with the Saline County Assessor's office accurately tracking property changes.Blackburn Today

The Saline County Commission approved a partial tax refund of $1,018.72 to a Blackburn property owner who was overcharged due to the county assessor's office failing to update records after a home on the property was demolished in 2021. This is the second such refund issued by the commission in recent months, as the ongoing dispute between the assessor and county commissioners continues.

Why it matters

The partial tax refund highlights ongoing issues with the Saline County Assessor's office accurately tracking changes to properties and updating tax bills accordingly. This case is part of a broader conflict between the assessor and county commissioners, which has resulted in a lawsuit over the county's classification status.

The details

The Saline County Commission approved the partial refund after the property owner brought the issue to their attention, noting that the tax bills through 2025 had not been adjusted to reflect the 2021 demolition of a house on the property. Commissioners determined the taxpayer was overcharged by $2,040 and approved a refund of $1,018.72 from the county's general fund.

  • The home on the property was demolished in 2021.
  • The property owner brought the issue to the commission's attention last year.
  • The commission approved the $1,018.72 partial refund on March 25, 2026.

The players

Becky Plattner

Saline County Presiding Commissioner who brought the taxpayer's refund request forward during the commission's regular session.

Jessica Adcock Goodman

Saline County Assessor who says the discrepancy was brought to her attention last year by the property owner, after her books had closed for the year.

Stephanie Gooden

Saline County Northern District Commissioner who provided updates on the county's pending move to third class status and the latest totals from the collector's office related to the assessor's lawsuit.

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What they’re saying

“It was the second such refund issued by the commission, noting that a similar situation had occurred on a Marshall lot last fall.”

— Becky Plattner, Saline County Presiding Commissioner

“The discrepancy was brought to my attention last year by the property owner, after my books had closed. I advised the taxpayer that any request for a refund would need to be made to the commission.”

— Jessica Adcock Goodman, Saline County Assessor

What’s next

New arguments were filed last week by attorneys for both sides in the ongoing lawsuit between the assessor and county commissioners, and the next court hearing has not yet been scheduled.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenges the Saline County Assessor's office faces in accurately tracking property changes and updating tax bills, which has led to multiple refund requests being approved by the county commission. The broader conflict between the assessor and commissioners continues to play out in the courts.