By Bill Raack, St. Louis Public Radio
St. Louis, MO – St. Louis County voters will see a question regarding the county tax assessor on Tuesday's primary ballot.
The proposal could eliminate the appointed position and make it an elected office. St. Louis County's assessor has been appointed for at least 50 years. But this spring County Executive Charlie Dooley proposed making it an elected position, instead.
While Dooley says there's nothing wrong with the county assessment process, it has been a point of contention in recent years as some have complained that property assessments have been too high. Supporters of the change say it will make the assessor more accountable.
The vote on changing St. Louis County's charter comes in advance of a statewide vote this November that would require the county - along with the city of St. Louis and Kansas City - to elect an assessor. Dooley says it's important for county voters - and not all Missourians - to decide the issue.
So what happens if Tuesday's vote and November's vote have different outcomes? No one seems to have the answer to that question.