Excelsior Springs’ 2024 municipal budget will reflect a 5.5% tax decrease in property taxes while keeping true to the city council’s top five priorities. Molly McGovern, city manager, said the a decrease in property reassessments means a decrease in tax rates. “In the last several years, property values have increased and what Missouri does if there is an increase in property values is decrease tax rates,” she said. In turn, the city could not collect more than a 5% increase and had a decrease of 5.5% due to the Handcock amendment enacting a mandatory tax rate rollback.” McGovern explained the council’s top five priorities when discussing the budget included being transparent, maintaining responsible growth, protecting the city’s history, supporting the community and overall doing good and being fair. “The services provided within the city budget maintain municipal court, maintenance of our buildings, community development including building permits, business licenses and zoning,…