Tracy Baldwin, Assessor, Clay County, Missouri Missouri Cases

The Clay County Assessor appealed the circuit court's judgment affirming the State Tax Commission's order, which set the assessed value of QuikTrip Corporation's retained interest in a former gas station property at zero dollars. QuikTrip had sold the property but reserved use restrictions, a right of first refusal, and mineral rights. The Assessor argued these interests constituted taxable real property and that the Commission erred in its valuation and application of the burden of proof. The appellate court affirmed the judgment, holding that the use restrictions and right of first refusal were not taxable real property, and the mineral rights, while taxable, were correctly valued at zero dollars based on their current non-use and lack of permitting.