Commissioners add $38,672 in reserves to cover expanded property‑tax relief pilot after applications nearly double

Treasury, Taxation and Vehicles representative Greg Baldwin briefed commissioners on the 2026 property‑tax relief pilot program. Baldwin said the county expanded eligibility this cycle (removing age/disability requirements and raising the home‑value limit to $500,000), which nearly doubled the eligible applicant pool to 687. Based on the county portion of taxes for eligible applicants, Baldwin said the total relief needed is approximately $403,721 while program funds remaining equal $365,049; he requested $38,672 from general fund reserves to pay the county portion to all eligible applicants.

Baldwin told the board there were 904 total applications and 196 were ineligible due to income limits. Commissioners debated whether to keep the program as a pilot, expand it permanently, or prioritize other long‑term property‑tax strategies; several members supported funding the shortfall and studying expansion during the 2027 budget process.

Commissioner Myers moved to approve the $38,672 reallocation from general fund reserves and to authorize the expenditure to ensure all eligible applicants receive the full county portion of relief; Commissioner Brewer seconded. The motion passed on a 7‑0 roll call.

Why it matters: The county modified pilot eligibility and substantially increased the number of residents receiving relief this year; staff said the change provided data to inform future budget and policy decisions.

What’s next: The board authorized the reallocation and directed staff to include longer‑term options for the program in the 2027 budget discussions.