By Johnny Rooster, Christian County Trumpet Publisher
OZARK, MO — Senate Bill 190 was signed into law by Gov. Mike Parson to eliminate Social Security income tax for the elderly. Sounds good. But now Missouri counties must decide if they also want to freeze property taxes for income eligible seniors as an extension of the bill, which takes effect in late August. Sounds good, but…
A bit of background is needed. Where best to find that than face-to-face with the top county commissioner himself. Click here for an outside article about the bill.
Meet Lynn Morris, the hardest-working senior commissioner
The air is stifling. I enter the Christian County Courthouse east entrance and dump my pockets into a shiny bowl before the metal detector. “Take off your belt,” the male guard instructs. I walk through the metal detector. Feels like TSA . (SIDE NOTE: I’d hate to work in a place where the public is scrutinized for potential threats. Makes me appreciate our elected officials and others working in that environment!) The female guard asks my business. “Here to see Lynn Morris,” I say.
Good to go!
I deliberately skip the elevator and walk the narrow, winding stairway to the second floor. I like that stairway. It’s scary, it’s weird. It fans out from narrow to less narrow and forces you to watch your step. Christian County Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris, clad in a black embroidered County Commission polo shirt, munching on apple slices from a Ziplock bag, with a Diet Dr Pepper and zero sugar A&W within reach, is on a working lunch. Heck, he’s always working. Two cell phones, one personal, one business, are stacked next to his landline. The silver-haired community servant told me earlier in the week he was out in the 100 plus degree swelter, helping road crews clear debris from a summer storm until his back said, “enough.”
Several times during the interview, Morris is interrupted by county officials and clerks, asking questions and needing his attention. Morris has worked tirelessly to represent the county since winning the Eastern Commissioner seat in 2020 and the Presiding Commissioner position in 2022.
Though he hasn’t lost an election, either while serving on a local board, state legislature, or county office, he doesn’t intend to run again. “I’m not a politician,” he says. “Politicians run and make decisions based on potential votes. I do things because they need to be done. I’m an elected official.”
Personally, I’ve never seen anyone in public office outwork Lynn Morris. He’s been on my rural county road more than once with a legal pad, taking notes on how to improve things. He’s at all the local gatherings, paying attention.
“I’m a senior myself,” Morris, now in his 70s, told me as we enjoy his second-floor office a/c on a triple digit August afternoon.
SB 190 may not help certain people, too vague
Morris said some seniors may not get help from SB 190 like they think they might. “There could be people who are 65 that would think they’re eligible (for a tax break), but they won’t be eligible because of the way the bill reads.”
Morris is quick to say he wants to help fellow seniors, but because of vague language, the new law may not help. Counties must decide individually if they want a tax freeze on property taxes for eligible citizens aged 65 plus.
No county has yet to approve or deny the idea, Morris said August 4. “We need time to review the bill and determine if it’s good for our county.”
The bill has the potential to get tied up in court and not serve anyone for a long time, Morris says.
“Let’s try to fix it before it goes into effect,” he continues, stating that if the language is better defined, residents will know if they are eligible without confusion or long legal delays.
I told Morris a business owner who moved from California to Christian County warned of freezing property taxes for seniors, because once they die, the next property owner is hit with back taxes so high it could bankrupt them. That’s one reason folks are fleeing California, and he didn’t want to see the same thing happen here.
Morris agreed there is much to consider before approving the tax freeze. He says seniors and young people alike share tax issues that would require different solutions. It’s impossible to please everybody.
“I think taxes are a financial burden that’s increasing to the point where it’s about to tip over,” Morris says.
But the governor signed a bill for seniors, not younger folks. That’s the issue now. The commission can’t address tax issues for younger people. That’s what legislators need to work on.
“I’m not interested in (real estate) property or personal property taxes going up,” Morris says. Schools would likely differ on that, as they get funded mostly by those taxes. But the county gets funded mostly by sales tax. That’s why Morris is a big fan of “buy local”.
Shop and buy local, not online or outside the area
Morris has lived in Christian County since 1977. He has 3 1/2 years left in public office. His hope is for people to shop and buy local, or else the sales tax won’t be strong enough to support necessary county improvements, such as roads and bridges.
“If we don’t buy local, we’re going to have a big problem,” Morris says, adding some lawmakers want to eliminate sales tax on groceries. That sounds good until communities suffer, he continues. “Counties depend on that sales tax. I want it tattooed on the brain of everyone in the county: buy local!”
Not in favor of eliminating grocery sales tax
“Most people agree taxes are too high,” Morris says. “But, be careful how you (legislators) tell counties how to collect taxes because of necessary expenses.”
“I am not in favor of eliminating sales tax on groceries; I believe there are better ways to help citizens without hurting county expenses.”
In fact, expenses for road repairs are up so high, it’s hard to maintain roads with the current tax revenue.
The county would likely lose more than a million dollars if grocery sales tax is eliminated, Morris says. The sales tax cut is being explored by Missouri lawmakers.
One idea to help citizens, rather than cut sales tax, is to cut personal property tax on boats, vehicles, and farm equipment, or at least not charge year after year for renewal, Morris suggests.
Good idea!
State is requiring assessment catch up
Morris says the state wants counties to catch up on property assessments. It will be interesting to see how much more tax is collected when assessments are completed on property. He added that inflation is running so high, taxes aren’t keeping up.
Next legislative session
Morris hopes the state will re-evaluate the language in SB 190 and make it clear who would benefit and how before anything is passed. It could likely be done at the next legislative session beginning in January.
Work Study Session Aug. 31
At 9 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 31 on the second floor of the historic courthouse, a Work Study Session on SB 190 freeze on real estate taxes for seniors and elimination of MO tax on Social Security payments is slated.
No decision or votes will be taken, but discussion will be taken to the County Commissioners. This topic will be on the Commission agenda in September or October.
The public is always welcome to attend Commission meetings at 8 a.m. Tuesdays, or Work Study Sessions. Citizens may call Lynn Morris at 417-582-4304 or email him at LMorris@ChristianCountyMo.gov.
“I’m also glad to meet in person at the historic courthouse to speak to groups,” Morris concluded.
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