The Howard County Commission on Aging and several senior citizens stopped short of backing a proposed property tax credit by calling for clarification on several particulars.
“We think there are so many questions in this bill [that it] ought to be referred to staff or public hearings,” said Ted Meyerson, commission vice chairman, testifying before the council at a public hearing Monday.
The bill would grant seniors ages 70 and older whose income is $75,000 or less a 25 percent tax cut. Republican Council Members Chris Merdon, District 1, and Charles Feaga, District 5, introduced the proposal in August.
Many seniors wondered if this bill was a tax deferral.
But Merdon said tax deferral legislation, which was passed in May 2005, allows seniors age 65 and older to defer the annual increase in their property taxes.
Some seniors suggested the bill require a resident to live in the county for a certain number of years before being eligible, while others said the County Council should raise the income requirements to the county?s median income of $88,600.
Merdon said the staff could draft answers to the commission?s questions, and he has filed an amendment that adjusted income would be considered. Adjusted income is the annual income minus any deductions, such as those for dependents.
The debate was not without some election year jabs.
Council Member Calvin Ball, D-District 2, who is running for reelection, said he learned about this legislation after Merdon?s press conference last month. The Examiner reported the news of the bill Aug. 15.
Ball said the news was given in an “unnecessarily partisan way,” because only Republican council members held the press conference.
“The council has not had an opportunity to review this legislation,” Ball said, adding that the proposal is a “pretty good idea.”
Merdon, who is running for county executive, responded: “Ladies and gentlemen, the election season has begun.
Thank you for that political speech.”
Commission seeks clarification on tax credit
Ted Meyerson, vice chairman of the Howard County Commission on Aging, presented these concerns about the proposed tax credit for seniors:
» The eligible annual income was capped at $75,000, and Meyerson asked why the Howard County Council chose that amount.
» The bill does not address what happens if a senior?s income rose above the limit.
» It is unclear whether residents have to apply for the break each year.
» The bill does not define “substantial improvements” to a house. The bill said these changes would not be included in the overall assessment when seniors are seeking to qualify for the tax credit.
? Sara Michael
