Fellow Property Taxpayers in St. Louis County:
Sen. Gibbons has always been in our corner in this fight. Let us stand up for him in November 2008. Let us elect him our next Attorney General.
Click the following link to read Gibbons Capitol Report of August 17, 2007:
Protecting Taxpayer with tax Reform
Also visit Sen. Gibbons campaign home page at http://michaelgibbons.com/home.php
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Democrats keep tax hike in St. Louis county
Click the link below to read an online report from St. Louis Post-Dispatch.
County opts for park funds over tax rate cut
FROM STAFF REPORTS
09/12/2007
(Courtesy of St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The very Democrats many St. Louis county residents voted for in the last election are hitting them hard with property taxes. What an irony? Let those four Democrats and the County Executive know that they will pay the price at the polls in November 2008. We can't forget what they did to us.
It is no wonder they are called "Tax and Spend" liberals.
County opts for park funds over tax rate cut
FROM STAFF REPORTS
09/12/2007
(Courtesy of St. Louis Post-Dispatch
The very Democrats many St. Louis county residents voted for in the last election are hitting them hard with property taxes. What an irony? Let those four Democrats and the County Executive know that they will pay the price at the polls in November 2008. We can't forget what they did to us.
It is no wonder they are called "Tax and Spend" liberals.
Sen. Gibbons' Property Tax Alert
Read more about Property Tax Alert By Sen. Gibbons at
http://www.missourinet.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=19666B3A-AF60-BB51-CB3E931B416D0DBA
Support Sen. Gibbons for Attorney General in 2008. He has been your property tax advocate in Jefferson City. We need him to continue to be our champion. Visit his campaign home page at http://michaelgibbons.com/home.php
The Missouri Property Tax Movement is excited about Sen. Gibbons.
http://www.missourinet.com/gestalt/go.cfm?objectid=19666B3A-AF60-BB51-CB3E931B416D0DBA
Support Sen. Gibbons for Attorney General in 2008. He has been your property tax advocate in Jefferson City. We need him to continue to be our champion. Visit his campaign home page at http://michaelgibbons.com/home.php
The Missouri Property Tax Movement is excited about Sen. Gibbons.
Senator Gibbons: Taxes and Spending on a Collision Course
Read this important speech. This shrewd politician has always been in the forefront of the tax reform movement.
http://www.senate.state.mo.us/03info/members/newsrel/nl15pt1.pdf
Let us elect Sen. Gibbons our next Attorney General in 2008. Visit his campaign home page at
http://michaelgibbons.com/home.php
http://www.senate.state.mo.us/03info/members/newsrel/nl15pt1.pdf
Let us elect Sen. Gibbons our next Attorney General in 2008. Visit his campaign home page at
http://michaelgibbons.com/home.php
Highly Anticipated Property Tax Bill Hits Senate Floor
Read more about how Sen. Gibbons is fighting for property tax payers, especially those in St. County. We need Sen. Gibbons to continue his leadership style and integrity in the Attorney General's office. Let us elect him our next Attorney General in November 2007.
To read more about the property tax bill click the following link.
http://www.mdn.org/2002/STORIES/PROPRTX.HTM
To read more about the property tax bill click the following link.
http://www.mdn.org/2002/STORIES/PROPRTX.HTM
Senate-FAQ on Property Tax Roll Backs-073007
Frequently Asked Questions on Property Tax Roll Backs
1.What is a property tax roll back?
A property tax roll back is when a taxing jurisdiction, such as the county or school district, opts to roll back or lower their property tax rate in order to counter balance large increases in property tax reassessments. State law, known as the Hancock Amendment, limits local governments from allowing growth in property taxes caused by reassessments to 5 percent or the current Consumer Price Index, which is 2.6 percent.
Tax rate ceilings must roll back to make sure taxes caused by reassessment do not increase more than the Hancock Amendment allows. However, some taxing jurisdictions have a tax rate lower than the tax ceiling meaning they are not mandated by law to roll back.
2. What savings do taxpayers gain from a property tax roll back?
The savings a taxpayer can gain from property tax rate roll backs range depending on the taxing jurisdictions and how much they roll back. In the 2005 example of the University City School District, taxpayers saved $109.03 for every $100,000 of assessed value because the district rolled back.
3. What is a taxing jurisdiction?
Taxing jurisdictions include any local government function that you pay property taxes to support. These include the county, cities, school districts, library districts, and fire districts to name a few.
4. How do I know what taxing jurisdictions I live in?
The easiest way to find out what taxing jurisdictions you live in is to look at your property tax bill from 2006. On the right side of your bill you will find a list of all the taxing jurisdictions that you pay a property tax to fund. Once you have identified your local taxing jurisdictions, you will want to reference the tax rate list we’ve compiled and contact your representatives concerning the property tax rate they plan to set for the next year and whether or not it has been rolled back.
Note: If they are at their tax rate ceiling, they must roll back.
5. How do I contact my taxing jurisdictions’ officials?
Once you have identified your local taxing jurisdictions using your 2006 property tax bill, you will want to contact your representative for each of the taxing jurisdictions. The easiest way to track down your representatives is via the internet, however you can use your phone book to find the phone number for each taxing jurisdiction and have them direct you to your representative.
6. Why is it important I contact local officials now?
September is the deadline for all taxing jurisdictions to submit their tax rate for the next year to the county and state auditor’s office. The rate they set will determine the amount of the property tax bill you will get in the mail this fall, making now the time to contact your local officials to encourage them to roll back their tax rates.
1.What is a property tax roll back?
A property tax roll back is when a taxing jurisdiction, such as the county or school district, opts to roll back or lower their property tax rate in order to counter balance large increases in property tax reassessments. State law, known as the Hancock Amendment, limits local governments from allowing growth in property taxes caused by reassessments to 5 percent or the current Consumer Price Index, which is 2.6 percent.
Tax rate ceilings must roll back to make sure taxes caused by reassessment do not increase more than the Hancock Amendment allows. However, some taxing jurisdictions have a tax rate lower than the tax ceiling meaning they are not mandated by law to roll back.
2. What savings do taxpayers gain from a property tax roll back?
The savings a taxpayer can gain from property tax rate roll backs range depending on the taxing jurisdictions and how much they roll back. In the 2005 example of the University City School District, taxpayers saved $109.03 for every $100,000 of assessed value because the district rolled back.
3. What is a taxing jurisdiction?
Taxing jurisdictions include any local government function that you pay property taxes to support. These include the county, cities, school districts, library districts, and fire districts to name a few.
4. How do I know what taxing jurisdictions I live in?
The easiest way to find out what taxing jurisdictions you live in is to look at your property tax bill from 2006. On the right side of your bill you will find a list of all the taxing jurisdictions that you pay a property tax to fund. Once you have identified your local taxing jurisdictions, you will want to reference the tax rate list we’ve compiled and contact your representatives concerning the property tax rate they plan to set for the next year and whether or not it has been rolled back.
Note: If they are at their tax rate ceiling, they must roll back.
5. How do I contact my taxing jurisdictions’ officials?
Once you have identified your local taxing jurisdictions using your 2006 property tax bill, you will want to contact your representative for each of the taxing jurisdictions. The easiest way to track down your representatives is via the internet, however you can use your phone book to find the phone number for each taxing jurisdiction and have them direct you to your representative.
6. Why is it important I contact local officials now?
September is the deadline for all taxing jurisdictions to submit their tax rate for the next year to the county and state auditor’s office. The rate they set will determine the amount of the property tax bill you will get in the mail this fall, making now the time to contact your local officials to encourage them to roll back their tax rates.
Gibbons-Property Tax Roll Back Rally Advisory-08-17-07
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 20, 2007
MEDIA ADVISORY
State Senate Leader Joins Taxpayers Asking County Council to Rollback
Rally Encourages All Taxing Jurisdictions to Rollback Tax Rates
ST. LOUIS CO. – Senate President Pro Tem Michael R. Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, will join St. Louis County residents from 5-6 p.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2007, to call on taxing jurisdictions, including the St. Louis County Council, to roll back their tax rates to counter balance increases caused by property reassessments. The rally will take place in the plaza neighboring the Lawrence K. Roos Building located at 41 S. Central Ave. in Clayton. Following the rally, citizens and elected officials will attend the St. Louis County Council meeting requesting a county tax rate rollback.
The rally is hosted by the St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now. Gibbons encourages county citizens to attend. They can find out more information by visiting www.stlcountytaxreliefnow.com
Citizens’ Rally for Property Tax Rollbacks
Time: 5-6 PM
Date: Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Location: Lawrence K. Roos Building
41 S Central Ave.
Clayton, MO
Contact Information for St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now:
Sarah Haenni, Media Director (314) 966-5482 or sarahhaenni@sbcglobal.net
August 20, 2007
MEDIA ADVISORY
State Senate Leader Joins Taxpayers Asking County Council to Rollback
Rally Encourages All Taxing Jurisdictions to Rollback Tax Rates
ST. LOUIS CO. – Senate President Pro Tem Michael R. Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, will join St. Louis County residents from 5-6 p.m., Tuesday, August 21, 2007, to call on taxing jurisdictions, including the St. Louis County Council, to roll back their tax rates to counter balance increases caused by property reassessments. The rally will take place in the plaza neighboring the Lawrence K. Roos Building located at 41 S. Central Ave. in Clayton. Following the rally, citizens and elected officials will attend the St. Louis County Council meeting requesting a county tax rate rollback.
The rally is hosted by the St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now. Gibbons encourages county citizens to attend. They can find out more information by visiting www.stlcountytaxreliefnow.com
Citizens’ Rally for Property Tax Rollbacks
Time: 5-6 PM
Date: Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Location: Lawrence K. Roos Building
41 S Central Ave.
Clayton, MO
Contact Information for St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now:
Sarah Haenni, Media Director (314) 966-5482 or sarahhaenni@sbcglobal.net
Gibbons-Informing Property Taxpayers Release-07-30-07
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 30, 2007
Sen. Gibbons Informs Taxpayers of
Property Tax Protections
Encourages Taxing Jurisdictions to be “Friends of Taxpayers”
ST. LOUIS –Informing property owners of the duty local taxing jurisdictions have to prevent growth of property tax reassessments from totaling more than 5 percent or the current consumer price index, which is 2.6 percent, Senate President Pro Tem Michael R. Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, today informed taxpayers of the property tax roll back process and encouraged local taxing jurisdictions to be “Friends of Taxpayers” by rolling back their property tax rates. Gibbons, who is researching property tax reforms on the state level, alerted property owners that August is the month most taxing jurisdictions set their tax rate for the coming year.
“Reassessment is about keeping values accurate, it is not suppose to be about raising taxes,” Gibbons said. “I want to help protect taxpayers and their homes by arming them with the knowledge that all our local taxing jurisdictions can and should roll back their tax rates.”
Law prohibits counties from allowing growth in property tax reassessments of more than 5 percent or the current CPI, which is 2.6 percent. However, many local taxing jurisdictions have not proposed to roll back the actual tax rate, rather only the tax rate ceiling which reflects the highest levy voters approved. To meet the spirit of the Hancock Amendment, Gibbons said constituents should encourage taxing jurisdictions to roll back their tax rate, even if it falls below the tax ceiling.
“Rolling back the tax ceiling year after year does nothing if a taxing jurisdiction’s rate is below the ceiling,” Gibbons said. “Taxpayers can gain relief by getting involved and asking their taxing jurisdictions to be a friend of taxpayers by rolling back their rate, even if it’s below the tax ceiling.”
Gibbons noted the savings can add up if all of a property owner’s taxing jurisdictions roll back. For example, in 2005, University City’s School District chose to roll back their tax rate to counter balance increases in reassessment and saved taxpayers in that district $109.03 for every $100,000 of assessed value. Gibbons commended the district for being a friend of taxpayers by rolling back, even when they were not at their tax rate ceiling.
Gibbons said most local taxing jurisdictions such as school districts and public libraries are expected to vote on their respective property tax rates by the end of August, making now the time to inform taxpayers about these jurisdictions’ option to roll back their tax rates. Gibbons encouraged taxpayers to use four simple steps to get involved in the process:
1. Contact your taxing jurisdiction: call or attend a public meeting.
2. Find out if they are at their tax rate ceiling, if so they must roll back.
3. If they are not at the tax rate ceiling, ask them if they plan to roll back.
4. If they say no, ask them why not.
Gibbons said he plans to watch local taxing jurisdictions and recognize those that do roll back with the “Friend of Taxpayer” Award.
A list of the current tax rates and tax rate ceilings of all taxing jurisdictions in St. Louis County is available online along with a Frequently Asked Questions and Answers summary concerning property tax roll backs. Both can be found by visiting www.senate.mo.gov, clicking on the link for the Pro Tem’s Page, and clicking on Residential Property Tax Information.
July 30, 2007
Sen. Gibbons Informs Taxpayers of
Property Tax Protections
Encourages Taxing Jurisdictions to be “Friends of Taxpayers”
ST. LOUIS –Informing property owners of the duty local taxing jurisdictions have to prevent growth of property tax reassessments from totaling more than 5 percent or the current consumer price index, which is 2.6 percent, Senate President Pro Tem Michael R. Gibbons, R-Kirkwood, today informed taxpayers of the property tax roll back process and encouraged local taxing jurisdictions to be “Friends of Taxpayers” by rolling back their property tax rates. Gibbons, who is researching property tax reforms on the state level, alerted property owners that August is the month most taxing jurisdictions set their tax rate for the coming year.
“Reassessment is about keeping values accurate, it is not suppose to be about raising taxes,” Gibbons said. “I want to help protect taxpayers and their homes by arming them with the knowledge that all our local taxing jurisdictions can and should roll back their tax rates.”
Law prohibits counties from allowing growth in property tax reassessments of more than 5 percent or the current CPI, which is 2.6 percent. However, many local taxing jurisdictions have not proposed to roll back the actual tax rate, rather only the tax rate ceiling which reflects the highest levy voters approved. To meet the spirit of the Hancock Amendment, Gibbons said constituents should encourage taxing jurisdictions to roll back their tax rate, even if it falls below the tax ceiling.
“Rolling back the tax ceiling year after year does nothing if a taxing jurisdiction’s rate is below the ceiling,” Gibbons said. “Taxpayers can gain relief by getting involved and asking their taxing jurisdictions to be a friend of taxpayers by rolling back their rate, even if it’s below the tax ceiling.”
Gibbons noted the savings can add up if all of a property owner’s taxing jurisdictions roll back. For example, in 2005, University City’s School District chose to roll back their tax rate to counter balance increases in reassessment and saved taxpayers in that district $109.03 for every $100,000 of assessed value. Gibbons commended the district for being a friend of taxpayers by rolling back, even when they were not at their tax rate ceiling.
Gibbons said most local taxing jurisdictions such as school districts and public libraries are expected to vote on their respective property tax rates by the end of August, making now the time to inform taxpayers about these jurisdictions’ option to roll back their tax rates. Gibbons encouraged taxpayers to use four simple steps to get involved in the process:
1. Contact your taxing jurisdiction: call or attend a public meeting.
2. Find out if they are at their tax rate ceiling, if so they must roll back.
3. If they are not at the tax rate ceiling, ask them if they plan to roll back.
4. If they say no, ask them why not.
Gibbons said he plans to watch local taxing jurisdictions and recognize those that do roll back with the “Friend of Taxpayer” Award.
A list of the current tax rates and tax rate ceilings of all taxing jurisdictions in St. Louis County is available online along with a Frequently Asked Questions and Answers summary concerning property tax roll backs. Both can be found by visiting www.senate.mo.gov, clicking on the link for the Pro Tem’s Page, and clicking on Residential Property Tax Information.
Gibbons Capitol Report-Take Control of your Property Taxes, Part 2-082107
Gibbons Capitol Report
August 21, 2007
Take Control of Your Property Tax Rates: Part 2
Tonight is the perfect opportunity for you to take control of your property tax rates. The St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now are hosting a Property Tax Rollback and Reform Rally before the start of the St. Louis County Council meeting. The rally will be from 5-6 p.m. in the plaza between the county courthouse and Lawrence K. Roos building on Central Ave. in Clayton. Following the rally, participants will then attend the council meeting in order to ask the council members to rollback their tax rates. Now is your chance to get involved in the process to make sure taxing jurisdictions don’t benefit from windfalls at your expense due to reassessment.
Rolling Back Property Taxes
Missourians adopted the Hancock Amendment to the constitution that set out to protect taxpayers. One way it does that is by limiting the amount property taxes can increase to either 5 percent or the current Consumer Price Index(rate of inflation), whichever is lower. Right now, Missouri’s rate of inflation is set at 2.6%. Because of this limitation, taxing jurisdictions that are at their tax rate ceiling must roll back their rate to make sure taxpayers don’t see increases higher than inflation. In St. Louis County, there are 249 taxing jurisdictions, but 79 of those are not operating at their tax rate ceiling. That means, legally, those 79 jurisdictions don’t have to roll back. Morally, I believe they should rollback. That’s where the role of the taxpayer becomes so important.
Taking Control
Asking your taxing jurisdictions that are not currently operating at their tax rate ceiling to roll back is the best way to take control of your property taxes. By taxpayers coming together to rally and ask the St. Louis County Council to roll back their tax rate consistent with the spirit of the Hancock Amendment, taxpayers can collectively save up to $12.7 million. By working with other taxpayers ask taxing jurisdictions to rollback, taxpayers can protect themselves from tax increases caused by reassessments.
To learn more about the St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now visit their website at http://www.stlcountytaxreliefnow.com/
A list of the current tax rates and tax rate ceilings of all taxing jurisdictions in St. Louis County is available online at http://www.senate.mo.gov/, click on the link for the Pro Tem’s Page, and click on Residential Property Tax Information.
August 21, 2007
Take Control of Your Property Tax Rates: Part 2
Tonight is the perfect opportunity for you to take control of your property tax rates. The St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now are hosting a Property Tax Rollback and Reform Rally before the start of the St. Louis County Council meeting. The rally will be from 5-6 p.m. in the plaza between the county courthouse and Lawrence K. Roos building on Central Ave. in Clayton. Following the rally, participants will then attend the council meeting in order to ask the council members to rollback their tax rates. Now is your chance to get involved in the process to make sure taxing jurisdictions don’t benefit from windfalls at your expense due to reassessment.
Rolling Back Property Taxes
Missourians adopted the Hancock Amendment to the constitution that set out to protect taxpayers. One way it does that is by limiting the amount property taxes can increase to either 5 percent or the current Consumer Price Index(rate of inflation), whichever is lower. Right now, Missouri’s rate of inflation is set at 2.6%. Because of this limitation, taxing jurisdictions that are at their tax rate ceiling must roll back their rate to make sure taxpayers don’t see increases higher than inflation. In St. Louis County, there are 249 taxing jurisdictions, but 79 of those are not operating at their tax rate ceiling. That means, legally, those 79 jurisdictions don’t have to roll back. Morally, I believe they should rollback. That’s where the role of the taxpayer becomes so important.
Taking Control
Asking your taxing jurisdictions that are not currently operating at their tax rate ceiling to roll back is the best way to take control of your property taxes. By taxpayers coming together to rally and ask the St. Louis County Council to roll back their tax rate consistent with the spirit of the Hancock Amendment, taxpayers can collectively save up to $12.7 million. By working with other taxpayers ask taxing jurisdictions to rollback, taxpayers can protect themselves from tax increases caused by reassessments.
To learn more about the St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now visit their website at http://www.stlcountytaxreliefnow.com/
A list of the current tax rates and tax rate ceilings of all taxing jurisdictions in St. Louis County is available online at http://www.senate.mo.gov/, click on the link for the Pro Tem’s Page, and click on Residential Property Tax Information.
Gibbons Capitol Report-Take Control of your Property Taxes-080207
Gibbons Capitol Report
August 6, 2007
Take Control of Your Property Tax Rates
August is traditionally a busy month for families as we wrap up our summer vacations and turn our focus to the new school year. What most of us don’t know is that August is also the month when local taxing jurisdictions set our property tax rates for the next year. It may not seem like a big deal, but for homeowners who have seen large increases in their assessed value of their homes and property it can mean a big hit to your pocketbook when your property tax bill comes due.
Rolling Back Property Taxes
Missourians adopted the Hancock Amendment to the constitution that set out to protect taxpayers. One way it does that is limiting the amount property taxes can increase to either 5 percent or the current Consumer Price Index(rate of inflation), whichever is lower. Right now, Missouri’s rate of inflation is set at 2.6%. Because of this limitation, taxing jurisdictions, such as school or fire districts, that are at their tax rate ceiling must roll back their rate to make sure taxpayers don’t see increases higher than inflation. However, many local taxing jurisdictions have not proposed to roll back the actual tax rate, rather only the tax rate ceiling which reflects the highest levy voters approved. To meet the spirit of the Hancock Amendment, constituents should encourage taxing jurisdictions to roll back their tax rate, even if it falls below the tax ceiling. That’s because rolling back the tax ceiling year after year does nothing if a taxing jurisdiction’s rate is below the ceiling.
Taking Control
Taxpayers can gain relief by getting involved and asking their taxing jurisdictions to be a friend of taxpayers by rolling back their rate, even if it’s below the tax rate ceiling. There are four simple steps you can do to help take control of the amount of property taxes you pay. First, I encourage you to contact your taxing jurisdictions and find out if they are at their tax rate ceilings. If they are, they must roll back. If they are not, ask them if they plan to roll back. And if they say no, ask them why not. By contacting your taxing jurisdiction board members or attending a public meeting you can potentially influence the tax rate they set. The easiest way to identify your taxing jurisdictions is by looking on your property tax bill from last year. They are usually listed on the right side of the bill.
Friends of Taxpayers
Last week I set out to inform taxpayers what you can do right now to help control your property taxes. For my part, I’m going to watch local taxing jurisdictions and recognize those that do roll back with the “Friend of Taxpayer” Award. I’ll also be taking note of those taxing jurisdictions that don’t roll back to help taxpayers know who’s voting to gain windfalls due to reassessments.
In St. Louis County, there are 249 taxing jurisdictions and 79 of those are not operating at their tax rate ceiling. That means, legally, those 79 jurisdictions don’t have to roll back. But morally, I believe they should. While we’re focused on our daily commitments, taxing jurisdiction boards are setting their rates without anyone holding their feet to the fire. The bottom line with property taxes is that if values go up, rates should come down. Help make that the case in your taxing jurisdictions, get involved this month.
A list of the current tax rates and tax rate ceilings of all taxing jurisdictions in St. Louis County is available online at http://www.senate.mo.gov/, click on the link for the Pro Tem’s Page, and click on Residential Property Tax Information.
August 6, 2007
Take Control of Your Property Tax Rates
August is traditionally a busy month for families as we wrap up our summer vacations and turn our focus to the new school year. What most of us don’t know is that August is also the month when local taxing jurisdictions set our property tax rates for the next year. It may not seem like a big deal, but for homeowners who have seen large increases in their assessed value of their homes and property it can mean a big hit to your pocketbook when your property tax bill comes due.
Rolling Back Property Taxes
Missourians adopted the Hancock Amendment to the constitution that set out to protect taxpayers. One way it does that is limiting the amount property taxes can increase to either 5 percent or the current Consumer Price Index(rate of inflation), whichever is lower. Right now, Missouri’s rate of inflation is set at 2.6%. Because of this limitation, taxing jurisdictions, such as school or fire districts, that are at their tax rate ceiling must roll back their rate to make sure taxpayers don’t see increases higher than inflation. However, many local taxing jurisdictions have not proposed to roll back the actual tax rate, rather only the tax rate ceiling which reflects the highest levy voters approved. To meet the spirit of the Hancock Amendment, constituents should encourage taxing jurisdictions to roll back their tax rate, even if it falls below the tax ceiling. That’s because rolling back the tax ceiling year after year does nothing if a taxing jurisdiction’s rate is below the ceiling.
Taking Control
Taxpayers can gain relief by getting involved and asking their taxing jurisdictions to be a friend of taxpayers by rolling back their rate, even if it’s below the tax rate ceiling. There are four simple steps you can do to help take control of the amount of property taxes you pay. First, I encourage you to contact your taxing jurisdictions and find out if they are at their tax rate ceilings. If they are, they must roll back. If they are not, ask them if they plan to roll back. And if they say no, ask them why not. By contacting your taxing jurisdiction board members or attending a public meeting you can potentially influence the tax rate they set. The easiest way to identify your taxing jurisdictions is by looking on your property tax bill from last year. They are usually listed on the right side of the bill.
Friends of Taxpayers
Last week I set out to inform taxpayers what you can do right now to help control your property taxes. For my part, I’m going to watch local taxing jurisdictions and recognize those that do roll back with the “Friend of Taxpayer” Award. I’ll also be taking note of those taxing jurisdictions that don’t roll back to help taxpayers know who’s voting to gain windfalls due to reassessments.
In St. Louis County, there are 249 taxing jurisdictions and 79 of those are not operating at their tax rate ceiling. That means, legally, those 79 jurisdictions don’t have to roll back. But morally, I believe they should. While we’re focused on our daily commitments, taxing jurisdiction boards are setting their rates without anyone holding their feet to the fire. The bottom line with property taxes is that if values go up, rates should come down. Help make that the case in your taxing jurisdictions, get involved this month.
A list of the current tax rates and tax rate ceilings of all taxing jurisdictions in St. Louis County is available online at http://www.senate.mo.gov/, click on the link for the Pro Tem’s Page, and click on Residential Property Tax Information.
Sen. Gibbons Fights for St. Louis County Property Owners
Gibbons Capitol Report
September 14, 2007
St. Louis County Council Increases Property Taxes
This week KMOX reported "a September surprise for county tax payers" when the Democrat-controlled St. Louis County Council voted along party lines to not roll back property tax rates to counter balance increases in reassessments. They rejected a proposal by Council members Gregory Quinn and Colleen Wassinger that would have saved taxpayers approximately $6 million.
Windfalls from Reassessment
I'm picking on St. Louis County because their tax rate affects everyone who lives in St. Louis County and because they have a long history of benefiting from windfalls caused by reassessment. In an article on Aug. 22, County Executive Charlie Dooley said keeping the rate the same is “not a windfall.” He had his number cruncher figure the average tax increase paid per household and stated that an extra $35 per year per house was not a windfall. But if you add it up it totals a $12.7 million increase in what residential taxpayers are paying collectively. Plus, by leaving the commercial property tax rate the same the county will gain another $3 million on top of that.
Public Input
In August, I joined close to a hundred St. Louis County residents when they asked the County Council to roll back its residential property tax rate in the spirit of the Hancock Amendment. I commend the citizens who took the time to ask for tax relief. I also want to thank the citizen-run St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now group that is fighting to protect taxpayers. They sponsored a roll back rally and petition drive as well as continue to work to inform citizens about tax increases caused by reassessment. By getting involved in the process, they are helping to make sure taxing jurisdictions aren't benefiting from windfalls at your expense. More importantly, they realize higher property taxes caused by reassessment can push our senior citizens on fixed incomes or new families trying to afford their first house out of their homes.
Rollback Successes
For the past month, we’ve been working hard to encourage every taxing jurisdiction not operating at its tax rate ceiling to roll back. Some have rolled back consistent with the spirit of the Hancock Amendment. In the district I represent some of these “Friends of Taxpayers” include the Affton School District, the Mehlville Fire District, the City of Valley Park, the City of Kirkwood and the Fenton Fire District. I just received notice that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District rolled back its general administrative tax as well as its sub-district taxes. Others have rolled back partially including the St. Louis Special School District, the St. Louis County Library and the City of Sunset Hills. St. Louis County was one of the last taxing jurisdictions to complete its work.
We're compiling the data and will share with you in October the full list of Friends of Taxpayers in St. Louis County. But overall, more tax districts that were not operating at their tax rate ceiling rolled back this year, meaning more taxpayers were protected and should have tax bills that are more manageable. Unfortunately, others will still be hit with the hardships from tax increases caused by reassessment. But by compiling the list of taxing jurisdictions that did not roll back and protect its taxpayers, we can help inform citizens before they return to the polls to vote for their local taxing jurisdiction representatives.
To learn more about the St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now visit their website at http://www.stlcountytaxreliefnow.com/
September 14, 2007
St. Louis County Council Increases Property Taxes
This week KMOX reported "a September surprise for county tax payers" when the Democrat-controlled St. Louis County Council voted along party lines to not roll back property tax rates to counter balance increases in reassessments. They rejected a proposal by Council members Gregory Quinn and Colleen Wassinger that would have saved taxpayers approximately $6 million.
Windfalls from Reassessment
I'm picking on St. Louis County because their tax rate affects everyone who lives in St. Louis County and because they have a long history of benefiting from windfalls caused by reassessment. In an article on Aug. 22, County Executive Charlie Dooley said keeping the rate the same is “not a windfall.” He had his number cruncher figure the average tax increase paid per household and stated that an extra $35 per year per house was not a windfall. But if you add it up it totals a $12.7 million increase in what residential taxpayers are paying collectively. Plus, by leaving the commercial property tax rate the same the county will gain another $3 million on top of that.
Public Input
In August, I joined close to a hundred St. Louis County residents when they asked the County Council to roll back its residential property tax rate in the spirit of the Hancock Amendment. I commend the citizens who took the time to ask for tax relief. I also want to thank the citizen-run St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now group that is fighting to protect taxpayers. They sponsored a roll back rally and petition drive as well as continue to work to inform citizens about tax increases caused by reassessment. By getting involved in the process, they are helping to make sure taxing jurisdictions aren't benefiting from windfalls at your expense. More importantly, they realize higher property taxes caused by reassessment can push our senior citizens on fixed incomes or new families trying to afford their first house out of their homes.
Rollback Successes
For the past month, we’ve been working hard to encourage every taxing jurisdiction not operating at its tax rate ceiling to roll back. Some have rolled back consistent with the spirit of the Hancock Amendment. In the district I represent some of these “Friends of Taxpayers” include the Affton School District, the Mehlville Fire District, the City of Valley Park, the City of Kirkwood and the Fenton Fire District. I just received notice that the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District rolled back its general administrative tax as well as its sub-district taxes. Others have rolled back partially including the St. Louis Special School District, the St. Louis County Library and the City of Sunset Hills. St. Louis County was one of the last taxing jurisdictions to complete its work.
We're compiling the data and will share with you in October the full list of Friends of Taxpayers in St. Louis County. But overall, more tax districts that were not operating at their tax rate ceiling rolled back this year, meaning more taxpayers were protected and should have tax bills that are more manageable. Unfortunately, others will still be hit with the hardships from tax increases caused by reassessment. But by compiling the list of taxing jurisdictions that did not roll back and protect its taxpayers, we can help inform citizens before they return to the polls to vote for their local taxing jurisdiction representatives.
To learn more about the St. Louis County Citizens for Tax Relief Now visit their website at http://www.stlcountytaxreliefnow.com/
Welcome all Missouri Property Tax Payers
Fellow Missouri Property Tax Payers:
Welcome to Missouri Tax Reform Movement blog. This blog was launched with the help of grassroot supporters of a movement that is drawing a lot of attention across Missouri, especially for the November 2008 elections.
Our purpose is to provide you with information and strategies to:
1. Roll back property taxes e.g. those that were passed by St. Louis County in September 2007.
2. Support politicians that are fighting for property tax reform in the November 2008 elections.
3. Defeat the politicians that are burdening us with property tax in the November 2008 elections.
4. Pressure your state legislatures to pass meaningful legislation to curb the property tax abuses that we all face.
5. Get involved so that we can accomplish our Property Tax Reform goals.
We will also share with Missourians how Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons has been our strongest voice in the Missouri legislature and what we can do to elect him Missouri Attorney General in November 2008.
Now is the time to formulate strategies to send the “Tax and Spend” politicians to early retirement from November 2008. For example those county politicians who are burdening the residents of St. Louis County with unfair property tax need to be rendered jobless in November 2008. Let us use our voting power to send a powerful message to "Tax and Spend" politicians in November 2008. That is what this movement and blog are all about.
Time is of the essence. Get involved. Pass the message around. Vote for pro-Property Tax Reform politicians.
Remember Sen. Gibbons is our most powerful ally in Jefferson City. Vote for him in November 2008.
Missouri Property Tax Reform Movement
Missouri Cities, Towns, Counties
Welcome to Missouri Tax Reform Movement blog. This blog was launched with the help of grassroot supporters of a movement that is drawing a lot of attention across Missouri, especially for the November 2008 elections.
Our purpose is to provide you with information and strategies to:
1. Roll back property taxes e.g. those that were passed by St. Louis County in September 2007.
2. Support politicians that are fighting for property tax reform in the November 2008 elections.
3. Defeat the politicians that are burdening us with property tax in the November 2008 elections.
4. Pressure your state legislatures to pass meaningful legislation to curb the property tax abuses that we all face.
5. Get involved so that we can accomplish our Property Tax Reform goals.
We will also share with Missourians how Senate President Pro Tem Michael Gibbons has been our strongest voice in the Missouri legislature and what we can do to elect him Missouri Attorney General in November 2008.
Now is the time to formulate strategies to send the “Tax and Spend” politicians to early retirement from November 2008. For example those county politicians who are burdening the residents of St. Louis County with unfair property tax need to be rendered jobless in November 2008. Let us use our voting power to send a powerful message to "Tax and Spend" politicians in November 2008. That is what this movement and blog are all about.
Time is of the essence. Get involved. Pass the message around. Vote for pro-Property Tax Reform politicians.
Remember Sen. Gibbons is our most powerful ally in Jefferson City. Vote for him in November 2008.
Missouri Property Tax Reform Movement
Missouri Cities, Towns, Counties
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