Voters in several South Central Missouri counties, including Taney, Douglas, Howell and Ozark counties, will be among 97 of 114 counties to decide whether to adopt a property tax cap as part of Missouri Senate Bill 3 in the April 7 election.
The measure, signed into law last June by Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, would limit increases in property taxes but must be approved locally by voters before it can take effect.
Under the proposal, the cap on property tax increases would vary by county. In some areas, increases would be limited to five percent at a time, while in others the cap could be set at zero percent, effectively freezing property taxes at current levels. Supporters say the measure is designed to protect homeowners from rising assessments driven by increases in property values.
The proposal has raised concerns among public entities such as school districts and fire departments, which rely heavily on property tax revenue. Officials warn that if approved, the measure could reduce funding levels and impact budgets that have already been set based on expected revenue.
Supporters of the measure point to recent increases in property taxes as a reason for backing the proposal, saying the cap would provide stability and predictability for homeowners.
State law prohibits public entities from using taxpayer funds to advocate for or against ballot issues but allows them to provide informational materials explaining the impact of a proposal.
The measure also includes exceptions. Property taxes could still increase if a homeowner makes improvements that raise a propertys assessed value, if voters approve new tax levies or if a property becomes subject to additional taxes through annexation.
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