<div>St. Joseph PostBuchanan County residents 62 and older will be able to applynext year for a property tax freeze on their primary residence.The County Commission has unanimously approved the proposalmade possible by a change in state law.Presiding Commissioner, Scott Nelson, says the commission metwith entities that received revenue from property taxes before making thedecision. Nelson doesn’t expect a freeze in property tax assessments for seniorcitizens to have much of an impact.“I can only speak from the county’s budget and we’re of theopinion that it will have very little impact on our budgeting,” Nelson tellsKFEQ/St. Joseph Post.Eligible county residents will have the property taxassessment of their primary residence maintained at the 2024 level as long astheir live there. As other residents reach the age of 62, they can apply forthe property tax freeze.The Missouri legislature first adopted Senate Bill 190 a yearago. Though signed into law, problems arose quickly. Not only did the law leaveout retirees who do not receive Social Security benefits, such as teachers and manypublic employees, it confused many county officials looking to adopt itsprovisions.State Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer of Parkville returned to thelegislative session this year seeking to shore up its provisions. The revisedlegislation passed and Gov. Mike Parson signed it into law.Applications will be taken in Buchanan County beginning March1st. Nelson says the Commission met with county officeholders on anapplication process to make it as simple as possible.“Simple as possible for anybody over 62 to walk in thecourthouse, be pointed in the right direction, pick up an application, and knowexactly where to go,” Nelson says. “For those who are computer savvy, you canget on early and find out what you need to bring. Because you need to prove twothings. You need to prove your residence and you need to prove your age.”The state cannot impose a tax break on local governmentaljurisdictions, so the legislation left it up to the 114 individual counties inMissouri as well as the City of St. Louis to adopt its provisions. Thelegislation allows counties to freeze the property tax assessment on theprimary residence for as long as the senior citizens live there. It could eitherbe adopted by county officials or through initiative petition of county residents.Nelson says the commission didn’t feel pressured into adoptingthe freeze, stating any tax relief the county can provide to senior citizens isa good step.“And give them some peace of mind in whatever sort of budgetingprocess they go to with their finances and not have to worry about their realestate taxes being increased; that’s a good thing,” Nelson says.The initial application period will run through June 30th.You can follow Brent on X @GBrentKFEQ and St. Joseph Post @StJosephPost.</div>

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Older Buchanan CO residents could see property tax relief

Buchanan County residents 62 and older will be able to apply. next year for a property tax freeze on their primary residence. The County Commission has unanimously approved the proposal. made possible by a change in state law. Presiding Commissioner, Scott Nelson, says the commission met. with entities that received...