Board schedules public hearing on expanded tax relief for elderly and disabled

Jennifer Matheny, Chief of Revenue Administration, asked the board to schedule a public hearing to amend Chapter 15 of the county code and modify the Real Estate Tax Relief for the Elderly and Disabled program for tax year 2025. Matheny said staff is proposing to tie the household-income limit to 80% of area median income for a family of four, which would raise the current limit to approximately $97,650 for calendar year 2025, and to adjust the financial net-worth threshold to roughly $312,000 from $305,000 based on inflation.

Matheny said the program served 857 households in 2024 with about $1.9 million awarded in relief; the average income for this year's applicants was $33,359 and the average net worth $54,500. "The average income for this year's applicants was $33,359 and the average net worth is $54,500," she told the board, noting 74% of applicants received 100% relief under current thresholds. Staff estimated the combined adjustments to income and net worth limits would increase county relief costs by about $120,000.

Supervisor questions focused on how the income and net-worth tests are calculated and what supporting documentation applicants must provide. Matheny said staff verifies income with tax returns, W-2s, benefit statements and bank records when needed. The board voted to schedule the public hearing; no ordinance was adopted at the meeting.