What is Proposition 2?
Proposition 2, the Homestead Property Tax Credit, asks voters whether Howell County should implement a tax credit program where the taxpayer’s property taxes for their homestead (primary residence) shall not be increased above the amount incurred during the initial credit year.
Why is the County submitting this question to the voters?
Senate Bill 3, which is more commonly known as the bill for stadium funding for the Kansas City Chiefs and Royals, included the requirement for counties to present this question to the voters on the April 7 ballot.
How will this affect how much I pay in property taxes?
The only comparison is to refer to the credit amount that the Senior Tax Credit provided following its inception in 2024. The 2,291 approved applicants resulted in a total credit of $236,388 or an average of $103 per applicant.
Which entities will the property tax credit affect?
In Howell County it will affect 10 school districts, 4 fire districts, 2 ambulance districts, West Plains Public Library, Howell County Sheltered Workshop, Howell County Health Department and Howell County Road and Bridge.
What is the estimated financial impact to these entities?
In 2025 there were approximately 13,850 homesteads that would be eligible for the property tax credit. Using the average credit amount of $103 for 2,291 Senior Tax Credit applicants as a basis, and, if all 13,850 homesteads received the credit, the impact to the entities listed above would be approximately $1,430,000 with our local school districts being the most impacted.
Does Howell County receive the same credit amount as other counties?
No. Howell County and 21 other 0% counties will be credited back to the base year amount. 75 counties allow the property taxes to increase 5% per year or the CPI, whichever is greater, and 17 counties in Missouri are exempt from the SB3 requirement to place the question on the ballot. There is current litigation pending claiming that the Homestead Property Tax Credit violates several articles of the Missouri Constitution.
For questions contact: Ralph Riggs, Presiding Commissioner, 417-256-3872 or commission@howellcountymo.gov
