Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Property Tax Relief topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Commissioners expand Chatham County tax-relief program, raise income limit and allow secondary exemptions
Summary
The Board of Commissioners voted to widen eligibility for a $200,000 low-income property tax relief program: raising income eligibility from 60% to 80% of area median income and allowing applicants already receiving other county exemptions to apply as well.
The Chatham County Board of Commissioners voted June 16 to widen eligibility for a pilot low-income tax relief program, increasing the income threshold and allowing some residents who already receive other tax exemptions to qualify.
County officials presented program data and a two-part recommendation during the meeting: raise the income eligibility from 60% to 80% of area median income (AMI), and permit applicants already receiving other tax relief (for example, disability or veteran exemptions) to apply for a partial county rebate. The board approved the changes.
The program was launched earlier in 2025 with a $200,000 allocation and offered up to $500 per qualifying household to reduce Chatham County’s portion of property tax bills. Jason Smith, Chatham County director of housing and community development, told commissioners the program has received 84 applications so far and approved 76 (about 90%). Staff reported roughly $35,000 has been paid out to date, and applications have slowed after an initial surge. Under the current implementation, checks are issued directly to approved applicants; recipients must be current on their county property taxes and may reapply after 12 months.
Smith said roughly half of denials to date were for applicants who already received another tax incentive; his recommendation to allow those residents to apply would limit reimbursement to up to 50% of the county’s portion of the tax bill (so, for example, a veteran exemption that reduces a tax bill to $500 could produce a $250 payment under the county program). He also told the board the fund resets on July 1 and that staff wants to spend the remaining allocation before that date.
Commissioners discussed outreach approaches (late notices, DSS referrals, and housing partners) and acknowledged the program is designed to be rolling throughout the year as funds remain available. The board voted to adopt both recommendations: increase the income ceiling to 80% AMI and allow residents who already receive other tax exemptions to apply for county relief (subject to the county’s 50% Chatham-portion rule).
The board also directed staff to continue outreach to eligible residents and to return with additional program updates during the summer and in next year’s budget cycle.
