OZARK, MO — Senate Bill 190 is supposed to help senior citizens (aka people over a certain age) freeze real estate taxes on current home and land values.
It’s a bill that says, “Hey, older homeowner, I see you ain’t gonna be workin’ no more. How ’bout them annual real estate taxes yer payin’ stay where they’s at ’til you kick the bucket?”
And the older folks say, “Yes, please. I pay too much tax already, so with inflation, I don’t wanna keep sellin’ my gold teeth just to pay for my taxes!”
Christian County Commisioner Lynn Morris/CCT Photo Johnny Rooster
Extra confusing stuff messed it up
You know how good politicians with good ideas and good intentions don’t always get good results? Well, that can happen up in Jeff City. Them politicians throwed in some vague language so counties can decide how they want to manage their real estate tax freeze idea for their seniors.
Why?
Because every one of the 114 Missouri counties has a different senior population. Like, Stone County, down the road. I heard they’ve got 70% old folks, like a retirement home civilization. Geriatrics Generation. Senior Sanctuary. Oldsters Organization. Retiree Refuge. (Ok, on with it!) Up here in fast growing, progressive and culturally sensitive Christian County, only 17% seniors. Big difference. That can impact the tax-base differently.
For instance, Christian County gets a lot of new residents (second fastest growing county, Presiding Commissioner Lynn Morris reminds us often), and those younger residents will still pay regular taxes, and bring in more money than the non-growing counties.
SIDE NOTE: I asked, and was told, that Platte County is the fastest growing. You’re welcome. Oh, that’s up north of Kansas City. Welcome, again.
The confusing part is that each county has to set up its own system, and interpret things legally so they don’t get into hot water with lawsuits over taxes.
But that’s just par for the course. Local elected officials aren’t always interested in doing all the work.
County commissioners are elected to make financial decisions for what to do with tax dollars coming in. County Assessors have guidelines on how to properly assess property values, based on the market. County Collectors do that… collect the required taxes and account for them.
Feisty Americans
I love America. I love Missouri. I love Christian County. Because we the people are supposed to be self-governed. We elect people to represent us. And we have the right to question them or even boot them out during the next election, if we see fit.
But with all that power, the people get split on what they want. Some want a tax break. Others get services and do their work based on tax income. The two camps met in an old courtrooom in the historic county courthouse recently.
Just like at church, the back rows filled up fast. Every citizen had to go through an airport style security check to enter the courthouse. Once they were deemed free of wallet knives, hand grenades, or RPGs, they crowded the slow elevator all the way up to the second floor.
Me? I took the stairs.
Keep in mind, the stairs in the courthouse are weird. They fan out like a deck of cards being held by a dealer. They have a wide end and a narrow end, and they wind. It’s not recommended for people with impairments. No ADA here!
But, I got upstairs faster than the herd on the elevator. I don’t like crowded elevators!
Once inside, I saw the back half crammed like jelly in a jar. I scooted past and found nothing but empty chairs set up in front of the room. But since it was an old courtroom, the extra chairs were in front of the rail, and that mentally kept the majority of folks behind the rail. Me? I like being up front of the bench, so I can see the county officials up close and hear better than the guy in the back who kept saying, “I can’t hear!” Well, move up, my friend! Plenty of seats up here!
The meeting itself was, meh
Meh. That’s a word young people use to describe so-so. I say “so-so” while extending my arm slightly as I rock my right hand back ‘n’ forth, palm down. Try it now, if you like, “So-so.” Do the motion thingy.
How does that feel?
Like the meeting wasn’t that great, right? Right!
Like this article, it was just words on a page, or, in that case, words spoken into the air.
The good news was that we have elected officials willing to hear the public. In fact, Presiding County Commissioner Lynn Morris has had a series of open public meetings (town hall style) in various parts of the county to hear the people and learn what they want. But he doesn’t stop there. He forms committees and they, the people, work on solutions. Morris is incredible and unusual for doing that.
This situation will need a lot of explaining. They brought in their county attorney, all 3 commissioners, the county assessor, county collector, and county clerk, but all the king’s horses and all the king’s men couldn’t make heads or tails of how to answer our questions satisfactorily. “We the people” left with the same number of questions as when the meeting started two hours earlier!
This could be a long “regular” news article
I could do a standard news article and tell you who was there, and who said what. But, I won’t. You lucky CCT reader, you! You’re just here for the good stuff!
In brief, some wanted to keep the taxes. Most didn’t. School officials, and other taxing entity reps spoke. Dr. Lori, the interim superintendent at Ozark Schools, was gracious. She said she’d take care of the budget and help the students regardless. Nixa School wasn’t so gracious. They kinda whined and whimpered about losing tax dollars.
Other elected officials were there, a state senator and some state reps. The senator, Mike Moon, took a direct hit, but handled it with grace and dignity. He didn’t call security (like they do at Ozark School Board.) He’s a class act. I like him!
Entertaining moments
Sen. Moon said the state constitution requires all laws must be equally applied for all citizens. “I think we should cut taxes for all (not just senior citizens). The reason I voted ‘no’ was because we can’t apply this proposal equally to all.”
Wait! UMMMM, did he just say the SB 190 is illegal? I think he did…9
But, who cares? If someone wants something, they gon’ get it, right, or throw a hissy?
“Seniors should not be taxed out of their homes,” a woman said, followed by applause.
“The one thing I’ve heard in 25 years of public service is, ‘taxes are too high’”, Morris said. “This is the best county, we are gonna have to vote on this sooner or later, and we want to make the right decision.”
Thom Taylor, Republican Central Committee Union Chapel member and local activist, spewed criticism about local government overspending. He cited several examples, how this agency and that blew public money and trust, addressing the crowd over his ever-perched readers on the end of his nose.
Taylor reached a crescendo, voice rising like a fire and damnation preacher. “We can’t use our own money. You talk about let’s tax everyone fair. Well, I’d like a few benefits that I’ve paid into. My taxes keep going up, and up, and up, and they keep going up. I’m tired of it!” He glared at a red-faced Morris. “You say this is the best county in the state. Yeah, right! Until we all move out, then what’re you gonna do?”
Taylor wasn’t through. Several audience members murmured affirmations and support. Elected leaders sat stone faced in the front of the room. Me? I recorded it! Better than live TV!
“They’re projecting that our electric bills are gonna quadruple! Why? Because we all have to drive electric cars! Who wants an electric car, raise your hand?” A smug glance over his readers. “I don’t see any hands! No, why? Cuz it’s another big rip off! Our goverment from the national —“
“We’re gonna have to cut this short,” Morris interjected.
“Yeah, you better cut me short,” Taylor retorted, stepping back into the audience amid applause.
“We’re talking about Senate Bill 190, out of respect, that’s what we’re talking about,” Morris said. “If you don’t like this county, move out. Move out if you don’t like this county,” Morris’ voice trailed off as several audibly booed.
Morris called the crowd back to attention. “You can see every county dollar every day all year long. We have a tracking system for that for the public. We also don’t have jurisdiction over schools or county health department. I get it, you’re fed up with high taxes. That is a rhetoric that causes a real big split in this county.”
Better news on the way
Another elected official, who wasn’t able to be there, is releasing reasons why each county must decide for itself. I’m going to get an exclusive interview and share it here in the near future. We hope all our officials do their job and discover what needs to work best for our county and seniors.
Don’t lose faith. Lift up your heads; your redemption draweth nigh! The seniors who aren’t able to easily pay higher taxes will be better off when it’s all said and done, and the county services won’t suffer, I assure you.
Just breathe and be glad you don’t live in California!
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