Important info from Bates County Clerk, Jami Page

The Bates County Commission approved and signed Resolution No. 26-001 that will put a property tax credit question on the April ballot. There have been two separate law suits filed in Cole County, Missouri challenging the constitutionality of Senate Bill 3. These legal challenges are unlikely going to be resolved before the statutory deadline requiring counties to submit the Senate Bill 3 ballot question. To remain in compliance with the statute the Bates County Commission submitted Resolution No. 26-001 to Jami Page, Bates County Clerk/Election Authority on January 14, 2026.

The question that will be submitted to qualified voters on April 7, 2026 is:

Shall Bates County, Missouri grant a property tax credit to eligible homeowners as authorized by Senate Bill 3, which would limit the annual increases in property tax liability on an eligible homestead to no more than the greater of five percent or the annual increase in the Consumer Price Index, except for increases resulting from any new voter-approved tax levies or new improvements to the property?

If the question is approved by voters then their tax bill will not raise more than 5% or the annual increase in the CPI, whichever is greater. Per Senate Bill 3, the 5% freeze does not affect any new voter improved levies or any improvements that are made to your property. If the property tax credit is not passed by voters, then everything will remain the same.