St Louis County Approves 0% Levy For 2016; Most Property Owners Should See A Decrease On Their Tax Bill [Update]

An update on a story from a couple of weeks ago:  Members of the Saint Louis County Board approved a 0% levy for 2016 at their September 22 meeting.  As we detailed before, this flat levy should result in a decrease for most homeowers next year.

Board Chair Pete Stauber said:

"This has been our vision to achieve and deliver a zero levy increase.  ," said Board Chair Pete Stauber. "I am so appreciative of the hard work of my fellow commissioners and staff for making it attainable. At the same time, I want to assure people that our services will not be affected. Our investment in roads and bridges, in public safety, in services to our most vulnerable citizens, is as strong as ever."

Specific details about the budget can be found here.

What's impressive is that the levy will remain flat considering the economic challenges confronting the county budget.  According to Commissioner Keith Nelson - the chair of the finance committee:

A zero percent levy increase at this time is the responsible thing for us to reach. New dollars from the Transportation Sales Tax are being dedicated to address the significant road and bridge challenges across the County. We recognize our taxpayers and visitors have stepped up in support of this critical need, and so we've stepped up our efforts, too.”

State law dictates that county governing boards set their maximum premlinary levy by September 30.  That levy can be reduced before the following tax year but can not be increased.  It's a way for both the county government and taxpayers a chance to prepare for what's to come.