2026 Senior Property Tax Relief Enrollment Period Open

The application and renewal period for the Clay County Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Program is now open for 2026, with applications accepted from January 1, 2026, through March 31, 2026. The program, implemented under Missouri Senate Bill 190 (SB190), aims to help eligible seniors manage rising property tax costs by "freezing" the real estate tax amount based on a "base year".

The Senior Property Tax Relief program provides a property tax credit that essentially freezes the real estate tax at a base year level, so participants do not pay increases in future years as long as they remain eligible. It is important to note that while the real estate tax credit covers increases due to rising property values, homeowners are still responsible for any new taxes or rate increases added by various taxing entities, such as debt service and the state blind pension levy.

Eligibility requirements include:

Being a Clay County citizen aged 62 or older, or turning 62 during the calendar year of application.

Owning and occupying the home as their primary residence.

Being responsible for paying real estate taxes on the property.

The program does not have a household income limit.

Seniors can apply or renew their enrollment online or in person. An annual affidavit is required to confirm continued eligibility:

Online: Visit the dedicated county website at https://www.claycountymo.gov/sb190 to find application and renewal forms.

In-Person: Paper forms are available, and staff are available at the Liberty or Gladstone offices to assist. The website also lists off-site application events.

Required documentation for the initial application includes a valid US government-issued photo ID and proof of all taxes paid.

Due to initial delays in the program's first year, the payment deadline for all Clay County real estate and personal property tax bills for enrolled participants was recently extended to January 30, 2026. No penalties or interest will be assessed for payments made by this extended deadline.

For parcels enrolled in the SB190 program, payments must currently be made by check, cashier's check, or money order; online payment options are not yet available for these specific bills. All other tax bills, including commercial and personal property, can be paid online.

County officials have emphasized their commitment to residents' patience as they navigate the implementation of this new program. For the latest updates, residents are encouraged to monitor the official county website or their social media channels.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

Spencer Elected to Missouri Municipal League Board

The Missouri Municipal League (MML) elected city of Kearney Alderman Gerri Spencer to the MML Board of Directors at the organization’s annual conference this fall.

Gerri Spencer is an Alderman for the City of Kearney, and she has served as secretary, vice-president, and president of the Westgate Division of MML.  She has also been a member of  the MML Economic Development and Human Resources Policy Committee. 

Spencer currently serves on the board of directors of the Kearney Chamber of Commerce.  She has served as the director/curator of the Kearney Historic Museum since it opened in 2006.  Spencer has a long history of public service and currently serves on a variety of committees, boards, and commissions, both local and within her county. 

Spencer considers her most rewarding and favorite job to be the proud Gigi (grandmother) to five fabulous granddaughters.

The Missouri Municipal League provides a united voice for municipalities across Missouri.  Founded in 1934, MML now serves nearly 650 municipalities with training, resources and legislative advocacy for local government success. Learn more at www.mocities.com.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story

Missouri Christmas Holiday Traffic Claims 10 Lives

The Missouri State Highway Patrol announced that 10 people lost their lives in traffic crashes over the 2025 Christmas holiday period. The counting period began at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and concluded at 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, December 28, 2025. In addition to the fatalities, troopers responded to 258 crashes resulting in 94 injuries and made 93 arrests for driving while intoxicated.

Compared to the previous year, the 2025 holiday period saw an increase in fatalities. During the 2024 Christmas holiday, troopers investigated 81 crashes, with four fatalities and 44 injuries reported. Statewide, five people died and 133 were injured in 295 traffic crashes last year. There were 18 arrests for driving while intoxicated during the 2024 holiday.

No boating crashes, fatalities, drownings, or boating while intoxicated arrests were reported by the Patrol during the 2025 Christmas holiday period.

Additional details about the incidents and arrests are available on the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story.

County Extends Tax Payment Deadline Amid Senior Tax Relief

Clay County officials have announced an extension to the payment deadline for real estate and personal property tax bills, moving the due date to January 30, 2026. This decision comes in response to delays caused by the implementation of the Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief Program (SB190), which led to many residents receiving their tax bills later than expected.

The extension aims to reduce confusion and ease the burden on taxpayers. Residents who pay their taxes by the new deadline will not face any penalties or interest. “We are working to implement tax relief for seniors. As with any impactful change, there are challenges. As a result, we are extending the deadline to January 30, 2026, for both Real Estate and Personal Property tax payments,” said Commissioner Jerry Nolte.

Tax bills for parcels enrolled in the Senior Real Estate Property Tax Relief program are now available online. Payments for these parcels can be made by check, cashier’s check, or money order. However, electronic payments and cash are not currently accepted for SB190-enrolled parcels. County officials acknowledge that some taxpayers have expressed concerns about the lack of online payment options for SB190 bills and emphasize that providing this service remains a high priority as they continue to explore solutions.

Meanwhile, all other tax bills not covered by the Senior Tax Relief Program—including commercial, personal property, and standard real estate bills—have already been mailed and are also accessible online. These bills may be paid electronically through the county’s online bill pay portal.

Any pre-payments made on parcels enrolled in SB190 will be reflected on the mailed paper bill. Taxpayers who do not see adjustments for pre-payments are advised to contact the Collector’s office. County officials recognize the rollout of the new program has been stressful and frustrating for many residents and express their appreciation for the community’s patience. For further updates, residents are encouraged to visit claycountymo.gov or follow Clay County on Facebook, Instagram, and Nextdoor.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts contributed to this story

Eagle Days Returns for 30th Annual Celebration

The 30th annual Eagle Days event is set to take place at Smithville Lake on Saturday and Sunday, January 3 and 4, with festivities centered at the Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse. Activities will run from 9:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, and from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, offering visitors a variety of opportunities to learn about local wildlife and the majestic eagles that call the area home.

This annual event is hosted by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the Missouri Department of Conservation, and the Clay County Parks and Recreation Department. Attendees can look forward to a live raptor program presented by Operation Wildlife, featuring birds that have been rehabilitated after injuries. Inside the clubhouse, exhibits and information booths will be set up by organizations such as the Martha Lafite Thompson Nature Sanctuary, Friends of Lakeside Nature Center, Wings of Love, and Clay County Parks and Recreation Department. Many of these displays will include live raptors or terrestrial wildlife, including turtles.

Operation Wildlife will also present captive eagle shows, scheduled for 9:30 a.m., 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 6, and at 11:00 a.m., 12:30 p.m., and 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 7. Seating for the live eagle shows is limited, so attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure a spot.

Throughout the weekend, officials will announce eagle viewing stations at the lake as they identify areas where waterfowl and eagles are congregating. Eagles are frequently seen catching fish at Smithville Lake, but they also follow and feed on waterfowl in the area.

The Paradise Pointe Golf Course Clubhouse, located at 18212 Golf Course Drive on the west side of Smithville Lake, will serve as the main hub for this popular wildlife event.

KPGZ News – Brian Watts Contributed to this story.