Greene County Commission adopts tax relief legislation, but questions remain

The Greene County Commission on Monday formally adopted a state bill that provides property tax relief for some older adults, but local officials say questions remain concerning the legislation.

Senate Bill 190, signed by Gov. Mike Parson in July, went into effect yesterday. The legislation is designed to freeze the tax rate permanently for Social Security retirees, according to a news release, though Greene County officials say they're working "to develop answers where the law is silent or vague."

“The commission has acted on day one as it is allowed to act to provide tax relief to some seniors,” Presiding Commissioner Bob Dixon said in the release. “It will be implemented as soon as practically possible given statutory mandates. My hope is that further clarity will be provided soon.”

Greene County officials say the bill has "broad language" that does not specify an age for qualification and that a date has not been set for the freeze to become effective once eligibility is determined. Greene County Collector Allen Icet has been appointed chair of a statewide taskforce to look into possible solutions, according to the release.

Commission officials expect clarity in future legislative sessions or in the courts system, and some counties in the state are calling for Parson to order a special session in September to address the questions, according to the release. Officials in Greene County say the law likely will not be implemented before 2023 county tax bills are mailed out in November.