JEFFERSON CITY, Mo - DeKalb and Audrain counties are among five Missouri counties to file a lawsuit against the Missouri State Tax Commission.

They are joined by Polk, Pike, and Reynolds counties in the lawsuit, which challenges the commission's recent property assessment hikes. The suit claims the commission threatened to withhold critical reimbursement funds if local governments refused to comply with the mandate.

The counties also argued that the commission exceeded its authority by issuing directives to raise property values to up to 110 percent of market value without proper notice.

The lawsuit seeks a court order to block these changes. It also requests the state be barred from withholding reimbursement funds for non-compliance. The lawsuit has been filed in Polk County.

See Full Page