Perry County voters to decide on senior property tax freeze April 7
FOX23 News at 9 p.m
PERRY COUNTY, Mo. (KBSI) — Perry County voters will decide whether to freeze property taxes for qualifying seniors in the April 7 election.
Proposition A, also known as the senior citizen homestead tax credit, would allow eligible residents age 62 and older to keep their property taxes at a set rate instead of seeing increases from future reassessments.
If approved, the tax credit would equal the difference between a senior’s property tax bill in a given year and the amount from their initial qualifying year.
Supporters say the measure would provide much-needed relief for seniors living on fixed incomes as costs continue to rise.
“We have an ever-growing population of senior citizens who are not doing well financially — they are struggling,” said Denise Ulrich, a Perryville resident and board member at the Perry County Senior Center. “This tax freeze would give them a much-needed break.”
Ulrich said she sees those challenges firsthand through her work with seniors.
“Some of their Social Security checks are only increasing by maybe $15,” she said. “By the time you add increasing costs and taxes, they’re struggling just to put food on the table, pay their bills and get medicine.”
Other community members raised similar concerns.
“As seniors, everybody can use a break,” said Perry County resident William Richardet. “You’re on a fixed income and sometimes it’s not quite fixed high enough.”
County commissioners say the proposal could affect local funding.
According to the commission, entities that rely on property tax revenue — including school districts, road and bridge departments, libraries and other services — could see less revenue growth if the measure passes. School districts are expected to be the most affected.
Officials also say the measure would not eliminate property taxes for seniors but would freeze them at a set rate. Taxes could still increase in some cases, including changes to debt levies or voter-approved increases.
Commissioners add that while the measure would provide relief for qualifying seniors, other taxpayers could pay more over time if local entities seek to offset reduced revenue growth.
A group of residents petitioned to place the proposal on the ballot.
“It’s important that we take a step back and support the people who have lived a long life already,” Ulrich said. “They are still a very vital part of our community, and they deserve to have a break in their financial stability.”
Voters will decide the outcome of Proposition A on April 7.
