Some Mid-Missouri counties approve of property tax freezes, reductions amid revenue questions
Alison Patton
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Some Missouri voters approved a ballot measure on Tuesday that would freeze or cap property taxes — a measure lawmakers included in legislation to keep the Kansas City Chiefs in Missouri.
Missouri Association of Counties Executive Director Steve Hobbs said that 73 counties had the property tax reform measure on the ballot, and 61 counties passed it.
Some counties weren’t eligible to put this measure on the ballot, like Boone County. A handful of counties were able to freeze property taxes so that they don’t increase, while others capped property taxes, so that the rate can’t go up more than 5% every year.
For example, Pettis County voted to cap property taxes so that it grows at a slower rate.
Sedalia School District 200 Superintendent Todd Fraley said this could limit how much money his district receives over time.
“It doesn’t necessarily take away from what we’re currently receiving, but it can take away an unpredictable amount,” Fraley said.
This piece of legislation is facing legal challenges from over 40 counties, Hobbs said.
“Our Constitution also says that all taxpayers will be treated fairly and equitably, and as you can see, we have counties where we may be treated one way and right across the county line, it’s a different way,” Hobbs said.
An attorney for the people suing the state, Jim Layton, told ABC 17 News over email that a trial is expected in June.
Below is a list of mid-Missouri counties according to the Missouri Association of Counties that are exempt or for which property tax reform the county is eligible for and if voters passed the measure.
Exempt:
Boone
Cole
Camden
Maries
Miller
Monitaeu
Morgan
Howard
Pulaski
Phelps
Property tax freeze:
Gasconade, passed
Johnson, failed
Osage, passed
Property tax rate 5%:
Audrain, passed
Benton, passed
Cooper, not on ballot
Callaway, not on ballot
Chariton, passed
Monroe, passed
Montgomery, passed
Pettis, passed
Randolph, passed
Saline, passed
Check back for updates.