Springfield launches 20-person senior tax work-off pilot; applications Feb. 10–March 31

Springfield City will accept applications for a pilot senior tax work-off program from Feb. 10 through March 31, 2025, with a public lottery to select participants set for April 4 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Raymond Jordan Center, city staff told the General Government Committee on Jan. 17.

The program lets residents age 60 and older earn a property tax abatement by working up to 67 hours for city departments. "The applications are gonna be opened up from February 10, 2025, and they're gonna be closing on March 31st 2025 at 4 PM," Jose Hernandez, the program coordinator, said during the committee meeting. He said the pilot will select 20 participants and that the work period runs July 1 through Oct. 1.

The pilot is intended to provide both tax relief and social engagement, committee members said. The chair of the General Government Committee said, "I'm personally extremely excited about this program," and Councilor Jay said the program addresses both financial relief and the social isolation many seniors experienced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

How it will work: applicants must submit a physical application to the Raymond Jordan Center by 4 p.m. March 31; staff will enter submissions into a lottery and…