LEFT TO RIGHT, Eastern Commissioner Bradley Jackson, Western Commissioner Hosea Bilyeu, Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris, and County Assessor Danny Gray discuss Senate Bill 190 which would allow a tax break for senior citizens. (CCT Photo/Johnny Rooster)
OZARK, MO — “We have an issue, that no matter how we vote, that is gonna divide this county for years to come. For years to come.”
The old upstairs courtroom in the Christian County Courthouse fell deathly silent as Christian County Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris spoke those words yesterday (Tuesday, Nov. 14) at a public meeting.
“I’m not kidding,” Morris continued, slowly, solemnly, into the microphone. “I see something here that I didn’t see in eight years as a state representative; and we voted on many, many tough issues.”
“This is the first issue, since I’ve been in politics, that I have ever seen, that is going to pit taxing entities against seniors.” He paused, voice husky with regret. “And I’m sorry for it.”
The silent audience sat spellbound.
“It won’t change my mind, but somehow, we have got to figure out how to all work and live together in this county. We have to.”
What is the dividing issue?
The issue Morris spoke of is Senate Bill 190. The state recently authorized Missouri counties to decide how (or if) they want to implement it. The bill would allow eligible senior citizens a freeze on any future increased tax on the home they own and live in, barring exterior construction improvements.
Why the issue is dividing the county
Morris’ statement had to do with certain taxing entities (groups that receive real estate tax dollars to operate) complaining about projected decreases in tax revenues versus fixed income senior citizens’ desire to get much needed tax relief in the wake of rising inflation.
Naming names and calling them out
Morris went on to chastise the Nixa School District and a local fire department for suggesting that they would have to cut services if Senate Bill 190, a homeowner tax freeze for fixed income senior citizens, is passed.
Morris calls foul on such talk. So does Eastern County Commissioner Bradley Jackson. The two of them are convinced that continued rapid growth in the county will more than offset any future decline in tax revenues.
“We (the county) get 8 or 12 dollars per thousand dollars of tax money, while the schools get how much, $750?” He looked toward County Assessor Danny Gray. Gray nodded, agreeing that schools get roughly 72 percent of tax dollars.
Morris also contended that other school districts say they are going to get along and continue to serve their students regardless of a tax freeze.
Western Commissioner waiting to decide
Meanwhile, Western District Commissioner Hosea Bilyeu, who represents the side of the county where Nixa Schools are, wasn’t ready to approve the tax freeze yet.
The county commission will attend a statewide meeting to hear what other counties are deciding regarding the issue before voting to approve it or decline it December 12.
“Once a decision is made, I’ll support it 100 percent,” Bilyeu told Morris and Jackson who sat on either side of him at the front table Tuesday morning. “I may or may not vote the same way you do,” but he added that if the vote became two to one, he would go along with the majority without a hassle.
Bilyeu stated he was not ready to make the decision and leave out the voters. He pledged to never raise taxes without the vote of the people, but because this is a tax freeze, not a tax increase, he is caught in a dilemma. Bilyeu came out strongly in favor of Nixa Schools, which have been openly criticized for excessive spending on a $15 million fine arts center. Bilyeu said he enjoys the arts, and that the arts are important.
“I’m still surprised to hear such a statement, that ‘we don’t want the people to vote'”, Bilyeu said, taking a jab at Morris.
Morris and Jackson believe they are elected to represent the people. Jackson added, “(Nixa Schools) submitted an entire report on how they would be impacted by a tax freeze. They spent a lot of money to tell us how they’re going to lose money.”
Jackson added that he believes the people want their leaders to decide, that’s why a commission is elected. If it went to a vote, the Nixa School District would likely hire a political action committee to protect it’s financial interests and persuade voters to go along with denying the tax freeze for seniors.
Nixa Schools get more than $80 million per year in taxes, which is far higher than the entire county, which only gets $30 million or so.
CCT weighs in
The way Johnny Rooster, your publisher, sees it, the rich school districts will be fine. They’ll keep getting the majority of tax dollars. There aren’t many seniors in Christian County, about 17 percent.
Of those 17 percent, not all own homes. Of those who do own homes, they will keep paying what they currently pay, they just won’t be paying more each year or so. Big fat deal!
Let’s remember. We all will be senior citizens one day, but we will not all have students in the school district.
My educator friends blindly say, “We gotta support the kids! Keep the money coming.” Wow. Give the older folks a break. We’ll have plenty of patrons paying plenty of money to the schools. (By the way, those kids are better off studying Math, English, Science and History than woke propaganda passing for curriculum in these Diversity, Equity and Inclusion delusion ideology times we live in.)
FOR A GLIMPSE OF LIVE VIDEO FOOTAGE FROM THE MEETING, GO TO CHRISTIAN COUNTY TRUMPET CHANNEL ON YOUTUBE. Click here to watch.
I confess to having wondered what this tax freeze was all about. As a senior citizen, I figured people might not appreciate any opinion I might have, anyway.
Now that I’ve read your article, I finally understand it and I have an opinion that I think others will appreciate. Thank you!