COMMISSIONERS SAY PROPERTY TAX FREEZE FOR SALINE COUNTY SENIORS WILL GO ON NOVEMBER BALLOT

The Saline County Commission says they’ll put a measure before voters in November on whether to allow senior citizens to freeze their home’s property tax, provided the governor signs additional legislation concerning it.

In a statement released and read aloud at last Wednesday’s regular meeting by Northern District Commissioner Stephanie Gooden, the commission says a fix passed by the General Assembly this spring will provide more certainty as to how to grant property tax credits on the primary residence of a resident at least 62 years of age. Gooden said several counties were concerned about some questions left unanswered by the initial legislation ( Senate Bill 190 ) passed in 2023.

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Several larger counties including Greene, Jackson, and St Charles enacted the credit without going to voters, while Boone County residents collected signatures and passed the measure in April. Gooden says given the significant number of Saline County residents that could be eligible, the commission believes voters should have the final say.

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Gooden notes that eligible seniors would have to re-apply for the credit annually.

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Governor Mike Parson has until July 15th to sign into law Senate Bill 756 , the measure amending the provisions of Senate Bill 190.  The Commission has until Aug. 27th to pass a resolution referring the credit to voters on the Nov. 5th ballot.

A previous version of this story included an incorrect deadline for certification of the ballot for the Nov. 5th general election.