At an emergency session Monday, Feb. 9, the Saline County Commission adopted an order putting forward a question on the April 7 ballot asking voters whether they would support establishing a tax credit on a taxpayer’s primary residence.
The order comes on the heels of Senate Bill 3, which passed last summer that requires 97 of Missouri’s counties including Saline and all but one of its neighboring counties to ask its voters whether they would support limiting an increase on the tax liability of a primary residence. Commissioners approved the referendum following a statement from Presiding Commissioner Becky Plattner, who noted that court challenges against the legality of SB3 are still pending. A court order will need to be issued before Tuesday afternoon to put the measure on the ballot.
Should Saline County voters have the opportunity to weigh in on and support the referendum, tax liability increases on a primary residence would be capped at five percent year-over-year. Similar questions will need to go before voters in 74 other counties, while voters in Johnson County would be asked to enact a credit on primary residences equivalent to all increases in tax liability. Howard County is among 17 counties that will not have the opportunity to consider such a measure.
We have the text of the proposed ballot language and the Saline County Commission’s statement below:
SB3 Ballot Language (as specified in Saline County Commission Order 6746)
“Shall the County of Saline exempt eligible taxpayers primary residence above the liability incurred during the initial credit year pursuant to RSMo 137.1055?”
Saline County Commission Statement on SB3 Ballot Measure
“The Saline County Commission would like to provide clarification regarding Senate Bill 3 (SB3) and the ballot question that we are seeking to present to Saline County voters.
“SB3 has been challenged in the courts regarding its constitutionality. Plaintiffs requested both an injunction to prevent the measure from appearing on the ballot and a declaratory judgment. The court denied both requests; motions to vacate and reconsider are currently pending. Counties are required to move forward with placing a question before voters.
“Although litigation is ongoing and the matter is expected to continue through the courts, the Commission is proceeding with placing a ballot question in compliance with state law.
“SB3 generally follows guidelines similar to other property tax limitation measures, with certain key exceptions, including a five percent cap on liability growth for real property tax over a base year, specifically applying to primary residence property owners.
“The Commission would also like to note that SB3 does not provide specific ballot language or guidance for counties. Therefore, the Commission has worked to develop ballot language that accurately reflects the intent and requirements of the statute.
“The Saline County Commission remains committed to transparency, lawful governance, and protecting the rights of Saline County voters. We encourage citizens to stay informed as the legal process continues and to participate in the upcoming election.”