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Council to start senior property-tax reimbursement at a reduced level for FY26; staff to report application counts
Summary
Councilors signaled they will move forward with a senior tax-reimbursement program for FY26 at a reduced level (roughly half of the $350,000 estimate), and staff will provide application counts and eligibility numbers before final adoption.
Councilors discussed a proposed senior property-tax reimbursement program at the March 24 budget workshop. Staff had estimated a $350,000 appropriation to fully fund the program based on demographic extrapolations; the council signaled a preference for a smaller pilot appropriation in FY26 and asked staff to return with application counts and eligibility vetting results.
Under the program previously discussed by staff, eligible residents must meet age and income tests and must have claimed the state’s property-tax-fairness credit; the city match would be distributed up to a cap (the ordinance ties the final payout to the amount appropriated, with pro rata distribution if demand exceeds the appropriation). Councilors proposed cutting the initial appropriation roughly in half (suggested figures of $175,000–$200,000 were discussed) to test program administration and demand while preserving assistance for qualified households.
Staff noted the application period is open and that initial interest has been substantial; the city will vet applications for program eligibility and return with count- and cost-based scenarios to guide final FY26 action.
