Surry supervisors expand elderly and disabled tax‑relief eligibility

The Surry County Board of Supervisors voted to expand tax‑relief eligibility for elderly and disabled homeowners during its December 2024 meeting.

Jonathan Jackins, the county’s commissioner of revenue, told the board the household income threshold has risen over time and staff proposed raising eligibility thresholds and deductions to reflect current costs. "Currently, the level of income for the household is at 45,000," Jackins said, and he described a proposal to increase the per‑relative deduction and the county’s net‑worth cap. "For 2024, there were 78 tax relief recipients... and approximately $63,838 in relief was awarded," Jackins said, noting staff projections that annual relief could rise with the new thresholds.

Board members generally expressed support for the change as a way to assist residents on fixed incomes. Supervisor Drewry thanked staff for the work and said she had additional ideas for next year. After comments, Supervisor Drewry moved to adopt the ordinance amendment for elderly and disabled tax relief; the motion was seconded and the board approved it by voice vote.

The ordinance also includes a proposed administrative change to personal‑property filing deadlines: staff noted a proposal to make most personal‑property returns due March 1 (instead of May 1) to allow more time to process tax billing, while business personal property would remain due May 1. Staff said the March date is intended to help the commissioner’s office manage processing for tax billing.

The board did not provide a detailed cost‑estimate in the meeting beyond staff’s projection that relief awards could increase; the staff presentation included prior year comparisons and the number of recipients. The amendment takes effect according to the county’s ordinance-adoption rules and any implementing instructions the commissioner’s office issues.