KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) – Jackson County Legislators are contemplating putting another tax measure on the November ballot. This one is not Chiefs-related. Instead, it’s focused on supporting seniors in the community.
It’s called a “senior levy” and it would provide services like meal delivery, home-safety repairs, and social activities with senior centers. The funding would come from a property tax of five cents for each one hundred dollars of assessed value. Advocates say it would generate $8-10 million every year.
Several senior citizens told KCTV5 Social Security and Medicare just aren’t enough to cover their basic needs. And those caring for the elderly say it’s time for Jackson County to approve a senior levy. Something 55 other counties across Missouri already have.
Alice Kilic will be turning 82 later this year. She’s noticed traditional federal benefits drying up quicker.
“Medicare gives very poor medical care,” Kilic said. “They do absolutely what they have to do and nothing more. Social Security is not now what it was meant to be.”
If legislators approve the initiative, voters then must pass it in November. The extra revenue would grant funds handed out by a citizens board to eligible charities to give transportation, social activities, and even home-delivered meals for seniors in Jackson County — things that are too hard for people like Kilic to do alone.
The thought of this potential new support to expand resources for people in her generation gives her more purpose to keep living.
“When I walk into the grocery store to do any shopping, I feel like I’ve been through a war,” Kilic said. “I just want to sit down and collapse.”
According to Zillow, the average home value in Jackson County is $237,036. At that rate, this added property tax would cost the average Jackson County homeowner an extra $118.51.
Janet Baker, who leads KC Shepherd’s Center, said it’s a better investment at a time when their research shows 21.7% of Jackson County seniors live in poverty. That 21.7 percent rate is almost double the national average. It comes while the county elderly population is expected to have doubled in 2030, compared to 2010.
“When older low-income adults end up in the emergency rooms, in hospitals, in Medicaid beds, in nursing homes, it’s the community who’s paying for that,” Baker argued. “Wouldn’t it be a better investment to support an organization for all that and not be on the taxpayer dime.”
KC Shepherd’s Center and other supporters of the senior levy say many County Lawmakers are already in favor of the ballot initiative and want voters to say “yes”. But the initiative is drawing some skepticism. Especially in light of the ongoing drama over Jackson County tax assessments.
In a statement, Legislator Sean Smith argues there’s a lot of other money that could go to these services. He shared this statement with KCTV5:
If it’s approved by the Jackson County Finance and Audit committee at their meeting on Aug. 26, it will advance to the full legislature. They could approve it to be sent to voters that same day. Voters would then have the final say in November.
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