OSAGE COUNTY — Concerns about the impact of potential property tax limits on local schools were a key topic of discussion during the March 24 Osage County Commission meeting, as officials reviewed tax collection data and warned that reducing property tax revenue could have significant consequences for education funding.

The commission did not meet Thursday due to scheduling conflicts.

The discussion about school funding arose as commissioners reviewed annual property tax collections and how those funds are distributed across taxing entities.

Data from the Osage County collector’s annual settlement shows that schools receive the largest share of local property tax revenue.

According to the report, schools received $11,812,101.33 of the $15,908,581.17 distributed, or approximately 74.25% of total distributions.

“That’s the biggest chunk,” Osage County Collector Denise Nolte said.

Commissioners expressed concern that proposals to freeze or limit property tax growth could significantly reduce funding for school districts, which rely heavily on local property taxes for operations.

“(If) they’re going to take that from the schools... they’ve got to generate it somewhere, or your schools are going to close,” Eastern District Commissioner Jeff Peters said.

Officials noted that while tax limitations may be framed as a way to reduce individual tax burdens, they do not eliminate the cost of operating schools and other services.

“Saving big money, but don’t have a place to send your kids to school,” Peters said.

• Commissioners also reviewed tax collection figures that initially appeared lower as a percentage of total charges.

The collector’s report shows total collections of $15,908,581.17 against $18,409,244.29 in total charges, a difference driven largely by abatements and delinquencies.

Abatements for the year totaled $1,910,016.39, a sharp increase from the previous year, when abatements totaled $490,386.23.

Nolte said the increase was tied to two primary issues.

More than 700 personal property accounts were affected by an error involving the valuation of ATVs 499cc and smaller, which were initially assessed too high and required correction.

In addition, a software issue caused some real estate properties, particularly those with new construction alongside older outbuildings, to miss value increases. Those accounts were later abated and supplemented to correct the records.

After abatements were factored out, the county’s effective collection rate rose to approximately 96.4%, consistent with prior years.

“They were overcharging,” Peters clarified. “It wasn’t our money to start with.”

The report also shows $590,646.73 in delinquent taxes, including both real estate and personal property from prior years.

Nolte said many of those accounts will be paid later in the year after tax returns are received, although some property owners pay every three years when their property becomes eligible for tax sale.

• A lengthy discussion during the meeting focused on an ongoing annexation effort by the City of Linn that has yet to be fully implemented due to inconsistencies in documentation.

County officials said the annexation, which has been in progress for more than a year, remains incomplete because legal descriptions submitted by the city do not align with intended boundaries.

Osage County Assessor Tina Kammerich said the discrepancies have made it difficult to accurately map the annexed areas. She explained that the information provided does not match the parcels that were intended to be included, resulting in fragmented boundaries and gaps in the mapped area.

Kammerich said her office has repeatedly requested corrected information from the city, but has received deeds for properties outside the annexed area, as well as deeds covering only portions of some properties rather than entire parcels.

“The school, they only recorded .25 acres,” Kammerich said.

Although the school is tax-exempt, Osage County 911/EMA Director Ron Hoffman said accurate mapping is critical for emergency services.

Osage County Sheriff Michael Bonham agreed, adding that his office has jurisdiction throughout the entire county, but being dispatched to an incorrectly mapped address could create jurisdictional problems for the Linn Police Department.

“If they go into the county and make an arrest, they don’t have jurisdiction,” Bonham said.

Kammerich said her office has provided the city with a list of parcels requiring corrected deeds, but cited ongoing difficulty obtaining a response.

“She won’t talk to me anymore,” Kammerich said.

Officials indicated the issue may need to be addressed with new city leadership following the upcoming municipal election.

Hoffman left the meeting with Kammerich to review mapping discrepancies and compare them with the 911 system.

• Commissioners discussed rising costs associated with road maintenance, particularly in relation to contractor agreements for hauling gravel.

A proposed increase of $1.25 per ton was considered due to higher fuel costs, which were reported at more than $4.50 per gallon during the meeting.

The commission approved the increase, with discussion about adjusting contract terms to reflect the higher costs.

• Officials also discussed a potential agreement with Maries County to exchange maintenance responsibilities for certain road segments, though no final decision was made.

ROAD & BRIDGE

Osage County Road and Bridge Foreman Brad Sneller did not attend Tuesday’s meeting; however, a road report was emailed.

• Quarry rock was hauled CR 805 (70.23T) & 807 (50.40T); road work was done on CR 317 & 805; potholes filled on Old 50 in Loose Creek; brush mowers were working on CR 301, 302, 303, & 304; and grader operators were active as follows: G02 (CR 706, 724, 726), G03 (CR 800 & 805), G04 (CR 610, 621, 636), G05 (CR 601, 602, 603), & G06 (CR 316, 317).

• Dump trucks DT31 (white 2004 Peterbilt) and DT56 (2025 International HV507) were serviced out of house.

• Contact was made with an individual on CR 612 regarding culvert installation questions. Discussed ditch work on CR 800.

911/Emergency Management

Osage County 911/EMA Director Ron Hoffman reported that a recent test of the county’s emergency siren system was successful and provided an opportunity to review system operations.

“It was a good learning time,” Hoffman said.

Hoffman said he is working with the communications provider for the siren system to implement a setup that would allow sirens to be tested automatically, rather than relying on manual activation.

• He also reported applying for a grant to fund an additional warning siren, with the fairgrounds area identified as a potential location due to high population density.

“There’s over 2,000 people there within a quarter mile of the intersection during a school day, plus the businesses,” Hoffman said.

FINANCIAL

• County Aid Road Trust (CART) distribution received from the state of Missouri for the month of March was $82,678.73, including Motor Fuel Tax ($65,285.26), Motor Vehicle Sales Tax ($13,140.91), and Motor Vehicle Fee Increases ($4,252.56).

• Time sheets were approved by commissioners.