Supervisors vote to advertise proposed changes to elderly and disabled tax exemption

The Russell County Board of Supervisors voted to publicize proposed amendments to the county ordinance that provides real‑estate tax exemptions for elderly and disabled residents, moving the matter toward a formal public hearing and final decision.

County Administrator Lonzo Lester reviewed the current ordinance parameters and the administrator's analysis. Lester said the existing ordinance sets a gross combined income cap of $30,000, a net combined financial worth cap of $80,000 (including up to 10 acres), and an exemption amount currently set at $165. He told the board he modeled the fiscal impact if the exemption amount and eligibility thresholds were increased.

Several supervisors and staff discussed draft changes. Supervisor Rebecca Dye said she has spoken with local constitutional officers who were supportive of raising thresholds. A staff recommendation mentioned raising gross income to $40,000 and net worth to $100,000; board members asked the administrator to prepare impact figures under two proposed exemption amounts: $250 and $300. "Could you look at it with those numbers 40,000, 100,000, 2 50. I'll give you a report. Maybe even 300," a supervisor said during the discussion.

A motion to publicize the ordinance with the requested scenarios passed by voice vote. The county administrator said he will prepare a report showing who would be eligible under the proposed limits and the maximum budgetary impact; the board indicated it would consider the item again when it reconvenes on its next meeting date.