Seniors Count pitches levy for 2026 ballot as commissioners warn tax-free properties could complicate messaging

At a meeting of the St. Louis County Older Adult Commission, presenters from the group Seniors Count outlined an education campaign and a separate get-out-the-vote effort aimed at placing a senior services levy on the November 2026 ballot. "Our goal is to have it on the ballot for November of 2026," a presenter said, noting co-sponsors Councilwoman Gretchen Banger and Councilman Michael Archer and upcoming meetings with other council members.

Commissioners were asked to help recruit up to about 10 older adults to serve on an advisory panel sharing lived experience; the presenters said a stipend "of up to $1,000" might be possible but would be contingent on funding. "If you have someone that is in your district that you think would be a good fit for that, please let us know," one presenter asked the commission.

The bulk of the discussion centered on how the recently enacted senior property tax freeze interacts with a new county levy. Several commissioners said residents misunderstand the freeze'some believed it eliminated all property taxes'and warned that messaging that appears to ask voters to support a new tax while also noting some taxpayers are frozen could be politically damaging. "If the public hears, ‘oh we just gave you this huge gift of your taxes are frozen and by the way we now want you to vote for new taxes that you won't have to pay for,' it's a terrible message," one commissioner said.

Members also discussed the fiscal uncertainty. Presenters cited estimates of up to $15 million in potential levy revenue, and commissioners offered rough calculations that the freeze could reduce collections by an estimated $3— million, depending on assumptions and which properties qualify. "So it could be three or four million less," one commissioner observed, noting the need for more precise analysis.

Commissioners asked for clearer, concrete examples and suggested the campaign use short numeric scenarios and personal stories to explain who benefits from the levy and what the freeze does and does not change. "Those are the kind of numbers I really want to be able to have," one commissioner said, calling for slides and examples that show how the levy and assessed values translate into actual dollars on a typical tax bill.

Presenters emphasized the levy would fund targeted services delivered through grants to trusted organizations (for example, legal assistance and social workers), not direct cash payments to residents, and pointed to the city'level senior fund as a model for grant administration.

The commission agreed to seek a formal legal opinion on the intersection between the state-authorized senior property tax freeze and a county levy, and to place that item on the next meeting agenda. Presenters and commissioners planned follow-up meetings with council members and additional outreach materials to clarify the policy and messaging.

The commission adjourned after making plans to refine revenue estimates, develop clearer messaging with concrete examples, and request written legal guidance.