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Radford council adopts ordinance raising limits for elderly and disabled tax relief
Summary
Radford City Council unanimously approved Ordinance 18-31 to raise eligibility thresholds for the elderly and disabled tax relief program — increasing income, asset and assessed-home-value caps to reflect cost-of-living changes and to prevent residents from losing benefits as Social Security rises.
Radford City Council on April 27 adopted Ordinance 18-31, increasing the eligibility limits for the city's elderly and disabled tax relief program.
The ordinance raises individual income eligibility from $24,000 to $30,000, increases the total-asset limit from $70,000 to $80,000 and raises the assessed-value cap on a qualifying home from $180,000 to $200,000. The council moved, seconded and approved the measure by voice vote.
Kelsey Marletta, who reviewed the program for council, said the change was needed because of rising costs and because Social Security increases could push some current recipients above the old thresholds. "We definitely need to adjust because of the cost of living," Marletta said, adding that several residents who had been narrowly over the prior limits could immediately qualify under the new levels.
Council members said the city currently serves about 29 people on the program and that the program's annual cost is roughly $32,600. "The average relief we give is about $1,151," Marletta said. Council members discussed alternatives, including tiered relief or partial exemptions, but agreed the proposed thresholds were a reasonable first step and could be revisited.
Jesse moved to adopt Ordinance 18-31; the mayor seconded the motion, which carried by the recorded voice vote on the transcript. The ordinance amendment takes effect according to the city's standard ordinance process; staff said residents must apply in person for initial enrollment and can renew by mail in subsequent years.
Council members asked staff to return with updated numbers after the land book is run so people who qualify can be notified and processed before the statutory deadlines.
