Says Public Hearings Not Necessary
posted July 13, 2008
County Commissioner Curtis Adams said he is ready to act to provide tax relief for seniors.
"We need to make the decision on tax relief/tax freeze, or announce that we will postpone it until 2009," he said in a memo to fellow commissioners.
Commissioner Adams, who heads a committee looking into the issue, said he favors tax relief over a tax freeze and is ready to vote to implement it.
The Legislature granted authority for counties to have a tax freeze for seniors, but county officials said it would be complex and costly to implement.
Commissioner Adams said instead he favors bolstering the existing senior tax relief program.
On proposed public hearings, he said, "I think we should reconsider holding the public meetings. At a public meeting, you may have one hundred that would go to the trouble of attending. Thousands would be uninformed because only 40 percent read the newspaper.
"During all my years of public service, I have found that the citizens just want us to do the job. We are the decision makers. We need to move forward.
"So, I ask the question, what would we accomplish with a public meeting?"
He said, "I would recommend 50 percent of the state portion on the tax relief program and get it done."
Commissioner Adams said the program would apply to those 65+ who have an annual income up to $24,000.
He said the first year qualifying seniors would pay the full tax bill and they would be sent a check for the relief amount.
After they qualify the second year, the tax bill will reflect the tax relief.
He gave the example of a house in East Ridge worth $50,000 - the total tax would be $586.75 and the tax due after the tax relief would be $218.25.
On a house in East Ridge worth $100,000 - the total tax would be $1,173.50 and the tax due after the tax relief would be $806.80.
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