CLAYTON — A candidate running for Missouri Senate filed suit Monday against St. Louis County for failing to start its senior property tax freeze.
Republican David Gregory, a former state representative from Chesterfield now running for state Senate District 15, is suing on behalf of Anthony Leara, a St. Louis County resident who could benefit from the tax break.
The suit aims to force the county to immediately open applications for the tax freeze.
The freeze became law last fall, but the county doesn’t have enough money to begin accepting applications, county Department of Revenue Director Tony Smee said last week. The department has asked the County Council for $1.8 million to hire staff and buy equipment and software.
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The suit blames Smee and Democratic County Executive Sam Page for not enacting the law.
But Page has been asking the council for months to approve money for the program, said spokesman Doug Moore.
“When the funds are appropriated, we will implement the program,” Moore said.
Republican Councilman Dennis Hancock of Fenton plans to introduce legislation that would provide $85,000 for software and $215,000 for personnel. The legislation would also extend the application period from June to July this year.
County property records show Leara, the plaintiff, owns a home in unincorporated South County. He shares a last name with one of Gregory’s political allies: Mike Leara, the treasurer for a conservative political action committee that has supported Gregory.
Neither Gregory nor Mike Leara responded to requests for comment Monday.
Councilman Mark Harder of Ballwin and Wildwood Mayor Jim Bowlin are running against Gregory in the Aug. 6 Republican primary for District 15, which covers much of of west St. Louis County.
A rundown of what property tax is and how it’s handled in the state of Missouri. Edited by Jenna Jones.
