ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - Property tax freezes for seniors is now law in the city of St. Louis after Mayor Tishaura Jones officially signed the bill Monday at Five Star Center on Arsenal.
Alderwoman Anne Schweitzer was the primary sponsor of the bill and says it was a team effort to get the bill passed.
"I know we get reported on what we don't agree on with the contention that exists," said Schweitzer. "But this bill didn't have a single 'no' vote and it had 11 co-sponsors."
St. Louis Mayor Jones says the seniors in St. Louis City deserved a property tax freeze for their commitment to staying in the city for so long.
“Our city’s seniors have remained dedicated to their homes and communities for generations,” said Mayor Jones in a statement. “This tax freeze ensures they can age in place in their neighborhoods, even as their neighborhoods develop and new neighbors move in around them.”
Schweitzer previously told KMOX her bill was different from the property tax bill St. Louis County passed in October.
The near similar bills passed in St. Louis County and St. Charles County freezes all property taxes across the board while St. Louis just freezes property taxes owed to the city.
The St. Louis County version includes freezing property taxes for other taxing districts such as schools, while the City's is exempting taxing districts like schools.
"We've chosen to focus solely on the City's portion of the tax because we believe it is manageable," said Schweitzer. "As well it is the dually responsible thing to do for other taxing districts."
The average savings a household with their property taxes frozen would be $50 to $75 in the first year but would grow from there as the tax continues to remain frozen.