KANSAS: Countryside Merger

The tiny Kansas City suburb of Countryside plans to merge with the larger bedroom community of Mission, but some homeowners fear their property values will decline in the process.

Covering only six square blocks, Countryside would be covered by a lower property tax rate as part of Mission, but real estate agents are divided on the impact of the deal. While some say lower tax rates will bring stronger demand for property in Countryside, others point to the neighborhood's loss of autonomy as a negative.

Allen Roth, chair of the Countryside/Mission Proposed Consolidation Task Force, said county officials assured him that property values were unlikely to fall due to the merger.