County Trustee Bill Hullander said low-income seniors and disabled veterans are happy getting property tax relief checks from the county.
The cost to other taxpayers, he said, is $500,000.
The state for a number of years has had a senior tax relief program. The county, at the time it raised the property tax last year, approved its own program.
The state pays $186 to eligible recipients, while the county opted to go half that amount.
Those eligible include persons 65 and older with annual income of less than $29,180 as well as disabled veterans of any age.
The county now has 3,718 on the eligibility list, including 535 disabled veterans and 3,183 low-income elderly.
Mr. Hullander said the county has received 371 new applications for the program and the state has already approved 217.
He said his office has received a number of calls from those getting the relief. He said, "It has helped the people who need the help and it is appreciated."
Some have called, he said, wondering what the check is for.