St. Louis County’s senior property tax freeze could finally see some life after the County Council approved additional funding for the program last month.

The council approved an additional $600,000 on July 23 for the Department of Revenue to carry out the program by a 5-2 vote.

6th District Councilman Ernie Trakas, R-Oakville, who will face attorney Mike Archer in Tuesday’s primary, sponsored the measure.

“I know it’s somewhat controversial, but I think it will give the IRS enough funds to give it a chance. A chance … to have an application process going before this year is over. If we don’t . . . .we’re still going to be in a holding pattern and not give seniors an opportunity to apply for this tax break on their properties,” Trakas said at the July 23 conference call. “Let’s get this finally passed for the seniors.”

The Council approved the county’s senior tax freeze legislation last October, and they awarded $300,000 for the program in April. However, the Department of Revenue said that is not enough to cover the cost of new hires and new software to implement the program, which it said will cost about $1.8 million.

“I support the tax break for seniors and I think, as everyone remembers, I’ve been a proponent of that … I can’t support this bill … given the timing of where we are,” said 3rd District Councilman Dennis Hancock, R-Fenton, one of the original supporters of the tax freeze. “We gave them $300,000 in April … so the money that we gave them in April will fund what’s needed for the rest of the year. Now, if we want to have a conversation in the fourth quarter when we talk about the budgets and what that will be required for 2025, then I’m all for it.”

Seventh District Councilman Mark Harder, R-Ballwin, echoed some of Hancock’s concerns about the previously allocated money but offered a compromise on the extra funding so the tax freeze could come out of limbo, suggesting the council could withdraw the money if it appears the tax department is not using it properly. Harder will face former state Rep. David Gregory and Jim Bowline in Tuesday’s primary for Missouri’s 15th Senate District.

“I’ve had concerns since the beginning of this. I was very disappointed that we gave $300,000 to the IRS and none of it has been spent… I understand that we have to move this forward. It’s against my better judgment to give more money to a situation that hasn’t been fixed,” Harder said. “If we vote for this, and if I vote for this, if it’s not spent on the senior program, we’re going to call this back, and I’m going to be the first person to file legislation to bring this back … because if this is used to buy other things that have been cut from budgets elsewhere, that’s not the purpose of this.”

Councilwoman Shalonda Webb, a Democrat who represents the 4th District, agreed with Harder, while 1st District Councilwoman Rita Heard Days, D-Bel-Nor, said she could not support additional funding without reviewing what the original $300,000 was spent on.

Fifth District Assemblywoman Lisa Clancy, D-Maplewood; 2nd District Councilwoman Kelli Dunaway, D-Chesterfield; Harder, Trakas and Webb voted in favor of the additional funds, while Hancock and Days were against.

The Department of Revenue still needs to set up its ‘Tax Freeze’ unit before it can start processing applications. To qualify for the senior property tax break, eligible taxpayers must be 62 years of age, have written proof of an ownership interest in the property they are applying for, and be a primary resident of the property they are applying for. Applicants may not claim more than one primary residence. The Tax Department will announce full application instructions closer to the opening of the application phase.

The council also approved a bill changing who could apply for the senior tax break, bringing it in line with changes made by the Missouri Legislature this year, which removed the $550,000 value limit and lowered the age limit from 67 to 62. That ordinance was adopted. 6-1, with Clancy against.

“I can’t support what amounts to tax breaks for rich people. … I can’t support anything that’s going to hurt public school kids and firefighters,” Clancy said.