Area officials express concerns over senior property tax credits

BLOOMFIELD — Only standing room was available at Monday’s Stoddard County commissioners meeting. The provisions and implementation cost associated with Senate Bill 190 had county officials up in arms.

Gov. Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 190 into law July 6, 2023. SB 190 is designed to give property tax relief for seniors via a credit.

SB 190 contains a provision that calls for county commissioners to adopt an ordinance authorizing tax credits.

Stoddard commissioners have submitted a working ordinance document for input and review.

Presiding Commissioner Greg Mathis said of the working ordinance document, “We are getting our hands around it and getting a direction to move forward on a vote up or down.” Mathis said, “This is an unfunded mandate... We will adopt or not adopt.”

If the commissioners fail to adopt, SB 190 contains a provision allowing a petition of a referendum on such a credit, signed by at least 5% of the registered voters, to be delivered to the governing body of the county for submission and approval by the voters.

Stoddard County Clerk Cecil Weeks said, “We have 19,000 voters.” Only 950 signatures would be required.

County Collector Josh Speakman clarified an eligible taxpayer as a Missouri resident, eligible for social security benefits (62 years old), evidence of homestead ownership, liable and current on taxes.

County collectors will credit eligible taxpayers on their tax statement.

“This is not a refund,” said Speakman.

“This will not get rid of your total tax bill,” said Mathis.

Speakman said, “For the 2025 tax year, we will need to hire another employee to implement the senior tax credit.”

Verification of the following will be required: primary residence, social security eligibility, no taxes due, identification documents with photographs, and creating and processing applications.

To have your tax credit estimated call Speakman at 573-568-3327 or email collector-sc@semo.net.

The Stoddard County Commissioners will meet again at 9 a.m. Monday, June 10.