From left, Eastern District Commissioner Bradley Jackson, Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris, Western District Commissioner Hosea Bilyeu. CCT Photo by Johnny Rooster
OZARK, MO— The Christian County Commission voted 2-1 in favor of a real estate tax freeze for seniors Tuesday, Dec. 12 during their regular meeting on the second floor of the county courthouse.
Western Commissioner Hosea Bilyeu cast the dissenting vote, while Eastern Commissioner Bradley Jackson and Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris voted in favor of the tax freeze.
No surprise there. They had already told us in October how they would vote.
Why Did Bilyeu Cast the Dissenting Vote?
“The phrase ‘taxation without representation’ always resonates with me,” Bilyeu told the audience after Jackson made the motion to approve the tax freeze, seconded by Morris. “I think that implies some sense of ‘tax freezes’ without representation.” Bilyeu remained steadfast that voters should decide the outcome, not the county commission. See the video of the vote and discussion here.
“Who would work out the details of the implementation, if it passes?” Bilyeu asked County Attorney Austin Fax prior to the vote.
Fax indicated county officials involved would need to work that out.
Morris and Jackson expressed concern over allowing the issue to go to a vote. “The language on the ballot could be confusing and cause further legal repercussions if it went to a vote of the people,” Morris said. “I lean toward us making the decision today.”
Morris added that once approved, the tax, which takes effect next year, means home owning seniors won’t pay more property tax, but they will continue to pay what they currently pay. The order applies only to one primary residence, not to renters or other property. If challenged legally, adjustments made along the way. “If it went to a vote of the people, it wouldn’t be able to be adjusted. That’s not good,” Morris said.
After Attorney Fax read the order, Jackson made a motion to adopt the order for the tax freeze. Bilyeu deferred to Morris for a second. Roll call vote was called. Bilyeu voted ‘no’, adding that he would be 100% behind it, knowing his vote would be overturned. Jackson said, “With great enthusiasm, yes,” when asked for his vote. Morris then stated ‘yes’ in his vote.
Most Divisive Decision Ever?
Morris stated repeatedly at earlier meetings the decision would be the most divisive ever in his years of public service. “No matter how we vote, this will divide our county for years to come,” he warned the audience last month, citing taxing entities were being pitted against senior citizens.
Legislator vs. County Official
State Representative Jamie Gragg/submitted photo
Morris served as a state representative prior to his time as a county commissioner. The guy who took his place as state rep, Jamie Gragg, has a different view than Morris regarding the tax freeze debacle.
Gragg wasn’t empathetic about the county officials who claimed they were dealt a “bad hand” and had to make a decision about the tax freeze. Read another news source here.
“It was right to hand the decision over to the counties,” Gragg told the CCT earlier. “Each county is different, with different needs and different numbers of seniors. County officials are elected to make those kinds of decisions.”
Gragg indicated how Morris and other officials need not complain about having to mediate between taxing entities, which get tax money from property taxes, such as schools, versus seniors who often desperately need a tax break. “It’s their job,” Gragg said. See more about Gragg’s position here.
Morris, defending his decision in favor of the tax freeze, recalled his time on the school board. “We don’t want to harm schools,” he stated Tuesday. “We are only halfway through this journey, and we can make adjustments along the way. Attorneys at the state level pointed out over 30 flaws in this bill. “We are going to protect the taxing entities and the seniors.”
“I think (the tax freeze) will affect our county in a very positive way,” Morris concluded, thanking the attorney and others for their help.
Big Decision, Small Crowd
The crowds at earlier meetings when the back-and-forth discussions took place were much livelier and well attended. Click HERE for a background story. A meager 30ish people were in the audience for the final vote Tuesday morning, because Jackson and Morris had already publicly stated they would vote in favor, overriding Bilyeu.
“I trust these men, and I could very well be wrong,” Bilyeu said Tuesday after the vote.
Side Notes
A retired former city official told the CCT that Commissioner Jackson pays his own mother’s property taxes because they are so high. “I can’t get much needed improvements done on my house,” the retired official said. “Because taxes are so high.”
Rep. Gragg told the CCT that taxes were sold by smooth talking politicians to senior voters for decades, including exorbitant school taxes, which keep those same seniors from affording home improvements.
The message? VOTE NO on any new tax and ALLOW tax sunsets to happen without rolling them over to a new project. We don’t need higher taxes. Fight me on that, but we don’t! Schools included! (That’s a Johnny Rooster comment!)
The Christian County Trumpet is an independent blog specifically for voters and taxpayers in Christian County, Missouri. You may also want to subscribe to Christian County Trumpet Channel on YouTube.