Jackson County proposes 5 cent senior tax levy on November ballot

By Jill Draper

Go ahead and apply now for Jackson County’s new senior tax credit program that freezes property taxes for homeowners age 62 or older. It’s officially adopted and is based on 2024 assessment levels of primary residences. But don’t expect a rollback on your 2023 taxes because nobody knows how that issue will be resolved.

That was the message from Jackson County Legislator Donna Peyton on Aug. 12 at a meeting of the South Kansas City Alliance.

Earlier that same day county leaders held a news conference vowing to fight a ruling from the Missouri State Tax Commission ordering the county to reevaluate its 2023 property tax assessment. The commission cited errors in the assessment process, specifically a state law that requires physical inspections of properties when the value rises by more than 15 percent. But county leaders announced there will be no rollback and no refunds because the money collected already has been spent by schools, cities and libraries. The final decision will be made by the courts if the county files a lawsuit.

“This is a work in progress. We don’t have more information at this time,” said Peyton at the SKCA meeting. Instead she focused on the new program, noting that Jackson County seniors can enroll in the tax freeze going forward at jacksongov.org/seniortaxcredit. Paper applications also are available. The deadline to enroll is Dec. 31.

Previous guidelines had limited participants to only those eligible for Social Security benefits, which excluded teachers and federal government workers with pensions. They also had limited homes to those valued at $550,000 or less. These limits no longer apply under Jackson County’s updated rules.

The meeting also featured discussion on another tax change designed to help seniors. Jackson County legislators will decide soon whether to add a proposed senior levy to the ballot in November. This levy would be a tax of 5 cents per $100 on real and personal property and would fund services so that more seniors can age in place.

Such services might include transportation to medical appointments, in-home care, minor home repairs, caregiver support and Meals on Wheels, said Heath Rath, executive director of PACE KC and a member of Jackson County Seniors Coalition.

According to Rath, the number of seniors in the county will have doubled between 2010 and 2030. “It’s a significant increase and we need to start looking for solutions,” he said. Jackson County’s poverty rate is two times the national average for those 65 and older, he added.

Nearly half of Missouri’s 115 counties have a senior levy, including Clay and Platte counties, according to Rath, who estimated the levy would raise $8-10 million per year. He said the funds would be managed by an independent board of citizens appointed by Jackson County. The board would set funding priorities on an annual basis.

A simple majority of Jackson County legislators is needed to place this issue on the ballot so that voters can make the final decision.

The meeting concluded with talks by two additional speakers. Monique Johnston, executive director of Youth Ambassadors KC, explained how this nonprofit works with area teens on employment opportunities and life skills. 

Last year the organization trained 432 teens in health and wellness, entrepreneurship, community development, resume writing and interviewing, and creative expression. The program, headquartered at 3130 Troost Ave., emphasizes anti-violence and trauma healing and offers paid work on community projects.

The final speaker was Esther Swanson, Kansas City PIAC administrator, who noted the 6th District PIAC meeting is 6 pm Monday, Aug. 19 at the Kansas City Public Library’s Plaza Branch. City Council representatives will be present to discuss proposal ideas. Each district receives about $5 million per year for public improvement projects funded through a 1 percent sales tax.

Swanson offered tips for a winning proposal: divide large projects into several phases that require smaller dollar amounts; submit photos with your ideas; line up grants or partners, if possible, to contribute funding; prioritize a list of multiple ideas according to importance; and resubmit ideas the following year if you’re not immediately successful. See more at kcmo.gov/PIAC.