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Senior Center Exploring Senior Tax Levy Concept

CAPTION: A few people fill their trays with food at the Grand River Multi-Purpose Center during the noon meal today (Monday). On Friday at noon, the center will host a program featuring Mary Clapham, administrator of the P.C. Café and Resource Center in Unionville, Mo., who will explain how a senior tax levy can be utilized to benefit senior citizens.

C-T Photo / Laura Schuler

A senior tax levy that is an option for Livingston County voters will be described at a public program at noon on Friday, April 17, in the Grand River Multi-Purpose Center and anyone interested is invited to attend. According to Joy Wade, aging resource consultant for Livingston County, the program is being held to educate residents of an additional funding tool which could be utilized to help senior citizens. We just want people to be aware of the possibility of having a senior tax levy,” she explained. Wade noted that the levy could be utilized in Livingston County for the benefit of residents age 60 and older.

The program will feature Mary Clapham, administrator of the P.C. Café and Resource Center in Unionville, who will explain how the senior tax levy can be utilized, and also describe how a committee could organize and publicize the levy if it is placed on a ballot. Wade says Clapham has presented programs to other counties considering placing the levy before voters, and has spoken at state-wide Medicare conferences.

The senior tax levy allows voters to approve a property tax levy per $100 of assessed valuation. At least 46 Missouri counties have passed the levy in the 20 years since state lawmakers first gave it approval, Wade said. If passed, the county commissioners would assign a committee to review applications and make decisions for use of the funds, with the commissioners giving final approval.

Wade said services funded with the tax levy may help keep people at home, independent, and off of public assistance. The use of the funds is not based on personal income, Wade explained. Wade described the levy as an economic tool, allowing for more people to continue to pay into the county tax base and make purchases in the community when they stay in their homes.

She said Clay County Senior Services in Kansas City uses some of its senior levy funds to provide low-cost rides to medical appointments, adult day care, home delivered meals, and subsidized exercise programs. Wade said that in Putnam County, some uses of the senior tax levy include meal delivery, emergency heating aid and weather radios. Wade says there has not been any decisions made about if or when the levy question would be placed on a ballot for voter approval. "This is just a start to get the word out for people who might be interested."