Press Releases

 

IMMEDIATE CONCERN
Lowery Attacks Reassessment Every Year
October 31, 2007

Mayor Robert G. Lowery, Sr. announced today that he is deeply concerned about the high amount of taxes mandated by the General Assembly and paid  by the people of not only Florissant, but in all of North County. The Mayor said that while he is elated that the housing stock in Florissant is going up, we need to take another look at how taxes are collected and that after homeowners reach the age of 65, they should not have to pay additional increases. The Honorable Charlie Dooley, County Executive, and others support change but the General Assembly refuses to pass new legislation. Mayor Lowery, Mayor T. R. Carr of Hazelwood, Mayor Kyra Watson of Berkeley, and Mayor Sylvester Caldwell of Pine Lawn, will be hosting a reception for legislators of North County in November at Yac's Restaurant at 427 Dunn Road in Florissant. Mayor Lowery said that although the City of Florissant has no real estate tax, this is a top concern and the Mayors of the communities are coming together to find a solution for the high property taxes. He said, "Our aging population would greatly benefit from legislation making assessment reductions for senior citizens and conducting assessments every 3-5 years."

Mayor Lowery also stated that is extremely unfair that the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County pay a "Zoo" tax and St. Charles, Franklin and Jefferson Counties in Missouri and Madison and St. Clair in Illinois do not. They use the Zoo, Art Museum, Shaw's Garden, History Museum, etc. but do not contribute tax dollars. This would be one way to reduce taxes and promote "regionalism."  At the suggestion of Mayor Lowery, the Metro Mayors will take up this issue as soon as possible and seek a remedy to alleviate the high taxation.

Mayor Lowery said, "I personally promise that I will have an announcement after the first of the year about a reduction in one of the taxes for the City of Florissant. We all have to tighten our belts!"