Russell County Board sets $300 starting point, schedules public hearing on elderly and disabled tax exemption

The Russell County Board of Supervisors voted to advertise a public hearing proposing to raise the county's real-estate tax exemption for elderly and disabled homeowners to $300.

Board members said the change is intended to increase relief for low-income homeowners. The measure was not adopted tonight; the board established $300 as a starting point for public notice and discussion and directed the county attorney and staff to schedule the hearing for the August meeting.

Treasurer Alicia (first name only in the record) and county staff provided fiscal estimates during the discussion. County staff said moving the exemption from the current $165 to $300 could increase exemptions by roughly $42,000 to $43,000 at "max capacity," depending on whether the program's current income and net-asset eligibility thresholds remain unchanged. The administrator noted that raising income or asset caps would enlarge the eligible pool and increase the fiscal effect.

Supervisor Lou Ann Wallace moved that the board use $300 as the proposal to advertise; Supervisor Tara Dye seconded the motion, and the board voted to proceed with advertising and to hold a public hearing. Several supervisors said the figure would provide meaningful relief to very low-income homeowners while allowing the board to gauge public comment before final adoption.

The county attorney listed the real-estate tax exemption ordinance among four county ordinances slated for public hearings in August, including a draft solid-waste disposal-fee ordinance and an erosion-and-sediment-control ordinance. The public will be able to review the proposal and submit comments before the board takes final action.