Ehlmann Backs New Property Tax Freeze

St. Charles County Executive Steve Ehlmann voices his support for-and also concerns about-a plan that would allow county voters to enact a real estate property tax freeze for all homeowners, similar to the one approved two years ago for seniors.

Ehlmann testified on the plan before the Special Interim Missouri House Committee hearing on property tax reform that took place in Clayton Aug. 20. The 20-member committee has been holding a series of hearings around the state to gather ideas for property tax reform that could be crafted into legislation during the session that begins in January 2026.

Meanwhile, the proposed freeze that Ehlmann supports (contained in Missouri Senate Bill 3) was passed by the legislature during a special session in June. If approved by county voters, it would freeze the tax liability of their primary residence.

While voters in St. Charles, Jefferson, Franklin, Lincoln and Warren counties would get to decide the issue in their county, voters in other counties, including St. Louis City and St. Louis County, will not be allowed to freeze their taxes.

"I'm for the freeze, but the legislature needs to make it available to everyone in the region," Ehlmann says. "How many more homeowners are going to leave St. Louis City and County where taxes will continue to go up, and move to St. Charles, Jefferson or Franklin County if the voters there freeze their taxes? The legislature needs to make sure the voters whose property taxes are frozen can't later vote to raise tax rates on everything else, including sales tax, to an extent that would make local businesses non-competitive with neighboring jurisdictions."

Taxing jurisdictions will have to make do with less revenue growth, Ehlmann says, as County government did when it voluntarily froze its portion of personal property taxes after used car values spiked in 2022. Only 5.6% of the County budget comes from property taxes, dedicated entirely to road maintenance and 911 dispatch. No property taxes go to the County's general operating fund.

A bill to put the property tax freeze on the April 2026 ballot for county voters to decide was first read by the County Council Aug. 25. Ehlmann expects the bill will pass Sept. 8 and be signed on Sept. 9, the same day Senate Bill 3 goes into effect.

"This is the type of property tax relief that voters deserve, and I'm for it," Ehlmann said. "There is already one lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the freeze legislation as written because, among other things, it discriminates against the voters in some counties. Before the voters pass the freeze and then, a year later, the state courts throw it out, the legislators should fix it."