Jackson County puts property tax levy for senior service on ballot

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — In November, voters will get to decide whether they want an increase in property taxes to support an effort for a “Jackson County Seniors Count” initiative.

The new program to serve senior citizens would be supported by a property tax levy based on your home’s assessed value. It would raise taxes on a home valued near $200,000 about $8 a month or $100 a year.

Jackson County’s population is aging and those who serve people 60 and older say more and more seniors are struggling to get by.

“We serve 1,000 Meals on Wheels clients at KC Shepherd Center. I’d serve 2,000 if I had the money to do it. I’ve got the infrastructure, I’ve got the capacity, I’ve got the program, I just don’t have enough money to buy the food,” Janet Baker, Executive Director, KC Shepherd Center, said.

Jalen Anderson was one of the legislators who co-sponsored an ordinance to create a Senior Citizens’ Services Fund within the County treasury. He says his grandparents could have benefited from a program that already exists in 55 Missouri counties.

“Less than two months later, they were both passed away, but the thing is, they sat there and they didn’t want me to worry about money and they did not eat for almost three days,” Anderson explained.

Along with supporting programs like Meals on Wheels, the property tax levy could support senior transportation and home repairs.

“Many homes have a lot of steps like mine does and I’m basically scared every time I walk down them carrying something, that I’ll be found at the bottom of the steps days later,” John Sharp said.

If voters approve the levy, homeowners would pay an extra $5 on every $10,000 of their home’s assessed value.  Anderson says he realizes challenges homeowners are facing with rising property taxes but hopes voters support seniors.

“They should not have had to suffered the idea that if their social security check was going to get them to the end of the month, they should not have had to face that,” Anderson said.

Under state statute, property taxes were the only tax option for the program.

County Executive Frank White, Anderson and fellow Legislator Donna Peyton plan to have a ceremonial signing of the ordinance at PACE KC Tuesday morning. Aug. 27 is the deadline to get items on the November ballot.

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