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Commission approves ordinance 2024-1210-1 to implement property tax credit tied to assessment ceiling
Summary
The commission approved Ordinance 2024-1210-1 implementing a property tax credit intended to limit tax increases tied only to assessment changes for calendar year 2025; commissioners and staff clarified the measure is a credit, not forgiveness, and that bonded debt and new bond issues are not covered.
St. Francois County commissioners voted to adopt Ordinance 2024-1210-1, which implements a property tax credit that the county described as effecting a “freeze” on taxes tied to changes in assessed value for calendar year 2025.
A county presenter said the ordinance implements the statutory approach created by state legislation and that the ordinance is written as a tax credit. “I’ve highlighted that and underlined it. It’s not a forgiveness. It’s a freeze,” the presenter said during the discussion, clarifying how the ordinance will appear on tax statements.
County staff and commissioners discussed several operational details during the item. Staff said the assessment roll for the county will be finalized in June and that appeals follow in July; the county will use the final assessment numbers as the base ceiling for the credit. Staff emphasized the credit applies only to assessment changes — not to increases caused by voter-approved bonded indebtedness or new bond issues — and that some portions of tax bills (for example debt service components for schools or colleges) are not eligible for the credit.
The presenter also explained how the credit will be reflected on tax statements: the full billed amount will be shown, followed by a credit for the frozen amount as required by law, rather than reducing the printed assessed value. County staff noted the credit requires an application and processing through the collector’s office; eligible property owners will be required to apply when the county mails guidance and application materials.
After questions and clarification, a commissioner moved to accept the ordinance and a second was recorded; the commission approved the ordinance by voice vote with commissioners indicating “aye.”
Ending: The county will publish the ordinance text, prepare an application and mailing for eligible taxpayers, and finalize implementation steps so the credit appears on tax statements for the 2025 tax year.
