CLAYTON — The St. Louis County Council has advanced legislation that would provide $300,000 to start the senior property tax freeze.
Republican Councilman Dennis Hancock of Fenton introduced the bill that would provide $85,000 for software and $215,000 for personnel. The legislation also extends the application period until June 2025.
The freeze became law last fall, but the county needs more money to start it, county Department of Revenue Director Tony Smee said last week. The department asked the County Council for $1.8 million to hire staff and buy equipment and software.
County Executive Sam Page said Hancock’s bill is a start.
“I will talk to the director of revenue to determine how much of the program can be implemented with this partial appropriation,” Page said in a statement.
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Council Chair Shalonda Webb, a Democrat from unincorporated North County, said she wants the revenue department to fill existing job vacancies before asking for any additional funding.
“This does not mean they cannot come back to the table once they fill their positions,” Webb said. “It may not be your end, but it may be a starting point.”
Democratic Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, of Maplewood, said the council should listen to department officials.
“I’m concerned about the discrepancy and why we would not leave it up to the experts in our departments,” Clancy said.
The council could finally pass the bill as soon as April 23.