A Buchanan County resident asked county leaders to consider providing additional tax relief for senior citizens as a countywide property reassessment moves forward.
Terry Colley, who also serves on the Buchanan County Public Service Authority board, addressed the Buchanan County Board of Supervisors during its Aug. 3 regular meeting. Colley spoke as a county resident and asked the board to explore an exemption for residents 55 and older when the county’s tax rate is next considered.
Colley said the current tax rate is 39 cents and asked supervisors to consider keeping the rate down for older residents following the reassessment.
“If you know the grocery prices and the insurance prices and everything in this county, it’s a struggle for those who’s on Social Security,” Colley said.
Colley told supervisors that providing relief would demonstrate the county’s support for senior citizens living on limited or fixed incomes.
“It would be a great feather in y’all’s hat if you did that to keep their rate down,” he said.
Moise told Colley and the board that the county’s reassessment is underway and is scheduled to take effect Jan. 1, 2027.
Knox District Supervisor Trey Adkins asked Moise to research state law and determine what authority the county has, along with what options might be available.
Moise said the county could review its existing exemptions for senior citizens to determine whether any changes or additional relief could be offered.
Colley noted that qualifying veterans already receive certain property tax exemptions and asked supervisors to give similar consideration to the county’s senior citizens.
The board took no formal action on Colley’s request. Moise said he would research the matter and report on what options may be legally available.
