A plan to cut property taxes for some senior citizens living in Frederick County will head to a public hearing, officials decided Thursday.
Commissioners voted unanimously to move forward with a proposal to slash county property taxes by as much as 20 percent for some residents older than 65.
The credit would come at a time when many seniors are feeling the pinch of financial hardship, said Louise Lynch, chairwoman of the Frederick County Commission on Aging.
“We’re real eager to see this tax credit go through,” Lynch said. “So many of our older adults here in Frederick have lost a good bit of money in their retirement.”
At the same time, the cost of gasoline, utilities and groceries has climbed, she said.
Commissioners President Blaine Young said he supports the plan as a way to help struggling seniors and prevent some of the county’s most long-standing residents from having to relocate because of a high cost of living.
“I’ve got sympathy for anyone who’s worked hard and built up what they have and want to stay here,” he said.
However, Commissioner Paul Smith and a county resident who commented during the meeting said the plan might not target the area’s most needy seniors.
With the current proposal, area residents older than 65 who qualify for a state homeowner tax credit could apply for the county break.
The state credits are offered to people whose annual income is lower than $60,000 and have a net worth of less than $200,000, excluding the value of their primary home. But commissioners will consider a variation of the plan that would allow seniors with yearly incomes of up to $80,000 to apply for the tax cut.
Smith said that the income and net worth limits are high and that he would support giving bigger credits to the seniors who have less.
“I think we should do more for those that are really hurting,” he said.
A Frederick resident also said the credits were a bad way of helping older county residents who need a break.
“If you really want to target money to low-income people, this is a poor way to do it,” said David Twenhafel.
In an interview on Thursday, Lynch said there are always more ways to help seniors, but the tax credit is a good first step.
Leading up to Thursday’s meeting, a work group that included members from the Finance Division and Department of Aging talked through a number of ideas for the senior tax credit. One option would offer older county residents a 20 percent reduction on their county property taxes after other state and local credits are subtracted. Another scenario would provide a 10 percent cut.
If officials decide to set a $60,000 annual income limit for the credits, county staff estimates this tax break could go to 1,626 recipients; if they opt for the $80,000 limit, the credits could benefit between 3,181 and 3,976 recipients.
