St. Louis County voters will decide this fall whether to sign off on a new property tax dedicated to helping older residents stay in their homes. County lawmakers voted Tuesday to place Proposition S on the Nov. 3 ballot. The levy would add five cents for every $100 of assessed property value and is projected to generate roughly $15 million a year. Supporters say the measure, about $20 a year on a house appraised at $200,000 under Missouri assessment rules, would pay for transportation, home repairs and other services that keep seniors living independently instead of in costlier facilities.
Council sends Prop S to the ballot
The measure cleared the County Council after sponsorship from Democratic Councilwoman Gretchen Bangert and will appear on the general election ballot this fall, as reported by the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Republican Councilman Dennis Hancock, who represents Fenton, cautioned that the proposal could be a "hard sell" for voters, signaling an uphill messaging battle even before campaign signs go up.
How it would work and what it would cost
Missouri law allows counties to ask voters to approve a senior services tax of up to five cents per $100 of assessed valuation and lays out requirements for an independent governing board and regular audits, according to the Missouri Revisor of Statutes. Backers estimate St. Louis County’s proposed rate would raise about $15 million annually and translate to roughly $20 a year on a $200,000 home. The tax could address a homelessness problem among older adults, Tracy Fantini told reporters, per the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
What supporters say the money would pay for
Backers, organized as the Seniors Count coalition, say the revenue would expand rides to medical appointments, well-being checks, home repairs and low-cost tax preparation that help residents age in place. When St. Louis City approved a similar Proposition S in 2016, officials used the fund to support Meals on Wheels, home-modification grants and other services, and the mayor later appointed a board to oversee the program, according to the City of St. Louis. Statewide, more than half of Missouri's counties have adopted senior services levies under the law, advocates note, and MoALSO tracks which counties have opted in.
Where things go from here
The question will appear on ballots countywide on Nov. 3. If voters approve it, the council would appoint a seven-member board to manage the fund before any dollars are released. Opponents are expected to argue the proposal is a tax increase for homeowners. Supporters counter that the relatively small charge could head off more expensive institutional care and help keep older residents rooted in their communities instead of being forced out by age, costs or both.
