County commissioners limited in offering property tax relief

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The county manager is throwing cold water on any plans from commissioners to offer new or creative tax relief programs for homeowners.

Calls for tax relief have escalated in light of rising property values from the new revaluation. Longtime homeowners in rapidly changing and gentrified neighborhoods are some of the hardest hit by revaluation.

County commissioners haven’t set the tax rate yet and in the coming months, they will have the option to make it revenue neutral. But even with a revenue neutral rate, some people’s tax bills will go up or down.

[Meck County home values rose 44 percent on average in latest revaluation]

The Homestead Exclusion administered by the county assessor provides property tax relief for people who are permanently disabled or older than 65 and make less than $30,200 a year. The city of Charlotte is also offering a new program called Aging in Place that offers tax relief for people older than 65 and earning more than $30,200 a year. Aside from those two options, little relief is available.

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Some commissioners, including Mark Jerrell of District 4, would like to see more offered.

“I would like us to never forget about those people who are in the middle-income bracket,” Jerrell said. “Single parents that could use additional support and help but are just in what we call in basketball a ‘tweener.’”

County Manager Dena Diorio said that may not be possible. She said the county does not have the authority to provide tax relief without the consent of the General Assembly.

“It is a very, very fine, so I think we have to be very careful about how we talk about these programs,” Diorio said.

The county manager is exploring whether the county can offer a program similar to Aging in Place to county residents living outside of Charlotte. She said the city can offer tax relief by calling it a grant program.

Vice Chair Elaine Powell told Channel 9 that she wants the public to know commissioners are listening.

“The tax rate has not been set and we are ready to hear what people have to say,” Powell said. “I don't think there is any need for anxiety yet.”

Cox Media Group