Camden County Working to Freeze Real Estate Taxes for Seniors

CAMDEN COUNTY, Mo. — The Camden County Commission is in the process of creating an ordinance that could freeze the cost of real estate taxes for Camden County seniors. The commission approved directing Camden County Attorney Jeff Green to draft language for the ordinance, made possible by the passage of Senate Bill 190, at their Tuesday, August 1 commission meeting.

Senate Bill 190

Missouri Governor Michael L. Parson signed Senate Bill 190 (SB 190) into law on Wednesday, July 6, 2023. SB 190, sponsored by Senator Tony Luetkemeyer (R-District 34), modified provisions relating to the taxation of seniors.

SB 190 authorizes a county to grant a property tax credit to eligible taxpayers residing in the county, provided the county has adopted an ordinance authorizing the credit, or a petition in support of the credit is delivered to the governing body. The county is currently working on such an ordinance.

Eligible taxpayers

Eligible taxpayers are defined as residents who: 1) are eligible for Social Security retirement benefits; 2) are the owner of record of, or have a legal or equitable interest in, a homestead; and 3) are liable for the payment of real property taxes on such homestead.

The amount of the taxes will freeze, and not increase, when the taxpayer becomes social security retirement eligible.

The amount of property tax credits authorized by a county will still be considered tax revenue actually received by the county for the purposes of calculating property tax levies.

Present at the meeting were Camden County Presiding Commissioner Ike Skelton, and Camden County District 1 Commissioner James Gohagen, Camden County District 2 Commissioner Don Williams, Missouri State Representative Lisa Thomas (R-District 123), Miller County Presiding Commissioner Kevin Cardwell, and Miller County District 1 Commissioner Don Abbett, as well as county staff and citizens.

There are still many questions on what the language will look like for Camden County in order to clarify how the county assessor and collector will administer the new law. Camden County Attorney Jeff Green will be working with Camden County Assessor Marty McGuire and Camden County Collector Teresa Murray in drafting the ordinance.

The draft ordinance will be reviewed by the Camden County Commission at the 10 a.m. Tuesday, September 7 commission meeting at the Camden County Courthouse.

In God We Trust

In other business, the commission approved sending out a request for artistic design for the county to choose from to create a painting of the words “In God We Trust” at the courthouse.

While attending the National Association of County’s annual conference Friday, July 21 to Monday, July 24 in Austin, TX, Commissioner Skelton met a group of individuals with In God We Trust USA and learned that their goal was to get every municipality and county in the nation to display the words “In God We Trust.”

The Commission encouraged everyone within the county, including students, to get involved in the project and submit ideas for the design.

Commissioner Skelton opened the floor for comments. The majority of those present at the commission meeting spoke in support of the idea. There was no opposition.

For additional information about the In God We Trust display project email Commissioner Gohagen at james_gohagen@camdenmo.org, or visit the Camden County website at camdenmo.org.

CART Funds Horseshoe Bend

In other commission business, the commission approved dispersing Camden County Aid Road Trust (CART) funds in the amount of $367,975.74 from the Camden County Road and Bridge fund to the Horseshoe Bend Special Road District.

Camden County receives CART Funds from the state every year to be dispersed. The amount was verified by the Camden County Treasurer and a Certified Copy of Order was provided by the Camden County Clerk’s Office authorizing the transfer of funds. It was noted by Jerry Jackson, the president of the Horseshoe Bend Road District that the amount matched his calculations.

To be notified about upcoming commission meetings contact Jordan_stanton@camdenmo.org