The St. Louis County Council is again considering a piece of legislation that would freeze property taxes for seniors.

At a special Committee of the Whole meeting last Thursday, 3rd District Councilman Dennis Hancock, R-Fenton, reintroduced the senior property tax freeze with some differences compared to the proposal the council rejected in July.

One of those differences is that the legislation more clearly outlines who would be eligible for the tax break, which was one of the reasons the previous version of the legislation failed, since some council members had concerns about wealthy homeowners getting a tax break.

The option for a tax freeze is possible after Gov. Mike Parson signed Senate Bill 190 this year, which allows counties to freeze property tax increases for seniors who are eligible for Social Security and own a home that they have to make tax payments on. Counties must vote whether or not to enact the bill locally. Neighboring St. Charles County passed a version of the freeze in September.

Another difference in the new legislation is that it includes a “sunset clause.” According to Hancock, after five years, the council would have to take further action to either renew the senior property tax freeze or make it permanent.

“The whole point of that is to give us time to review the real impacts to the various taxing jurisdictions in the county of this bill,” Hancock said. “This … gives us the opportunity to look at real numbers down the road. In the meanwhile we would be giving a benefit to seniors in St. Louis County.”

The council could consider the legislation at its next meeting Oct. 10.