Saline County Assessor Challenges County Commission in Classification Lawsuit

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A Sedalia judge will hear arguments on Tuesday about whether Lafayette County's Commission can join a lawsuit filed by the Saline County Assessor against her own county's commission. The assessor, Jessica Adcock Goodman, is challenging Saline County's status as a fourth-class county, arguing it should be reclassified as a third-class county, which could impact funding levels for her office.

Why it matters

The outcome of this case could have significant implications for the funding and operations of county government offices in both Saline and Lafayette counties, which are both currently designated as fourth-class counties under Missouri law. The reclassification dispute highlights the ongoing tensions between county assessors and commissions over budgets and administrative authority.

The details

The lawsuit was originally filed by Saline County Assessor Jessica Adcock Goodman in November 2022, challenging the Saline County Commission's funding levels for her office. Goodman argues that Saline County no longer meets the population and other criteria to be considered a fourth-class county and should instead be reclassified as a third-class county, which could impact the budget and resources available to her office. In August, commissioners from neighboring Lafayette County, which is also a fourth-class county, petitioned to join the lawsuit in support of the Saline County Commission.

• The lawsuit was filed by Saline County Assessor Jessica Adcock Goodman in November 2022.
• Lafayette County commissioners petitioned to join the lawsuit in August 2023.
• The hearing on whether Lafayette County can join the case is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, February 28, 2026.

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Lafayette County to join the lawsuit filed by the Saline County Assessor.