CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – The Montgomery County Commission on Monday increased the income limit for the Senior Tax Freeze Program to $60,000.

The Property Tax Freeze program helps senior citizens by keeping their property taxes in place, shielding them from increases in tax rates or property assessments.

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As of this year, the program in Montgomery County has an income limit of $42,890. However, with the resolution, county commissioners had a chance to raise the limit up to as high as $60,000.

“For the constituents of Montgomery County, it helps out a lot,” said Commissioner Chris Rasnic, the sponsor of the resolution. “I have a lot of people in my area that don’t make above $60,000, especially our retirees. Anything I can give back to them … it’s the reason I ran for this seat, to help out our community.”

Rasnic said the program’s enrollment is currently 1,146 seniors, which is less than 1% of the population.

Impact on county finances unknown

Some commissioners were worried about the income limit being increased to that threshold.

“Taxes are always a sensitive issue,” Commissioner William Frye said. “It’s easy to say we should lower taxes for senior citizens. People might ask, ‘How can you oppose lowering taxes for seniors?’ What I might ask is how can we look a single mother in the eye, who is at poverty level income, and tell her that she has to pay more so that another group pays less just because of their age?”

Frye asked his colleagues to vote against the proposal.

Commissioner David Harper said it’s rare for a resolution not to come with an estimate of the impact on overall Montgomery County finances.

“We can’t possibly know what the fiscal component is,” Harper said. “Essentially, we’re writing a blank check. I don’t know about you and your household, but I don’t write blank checks. That’s a dangerous philosophy to get into.”

Commissioner Jorge Padro asked for the resolution to be deferred until next month. The deferral was voted down.

The resolution ended up passing with 16-1 with one abstention. Voting no was Frye, while Harper abstained. The proposal is set to take effect next tax season.

To apply for property tax relief, visit the Montgomery County Trustee’s Office, Suite 101-B, in Veteran’s Plaza. To see available services, including paying taxes online through the County Trustee office, visit mcgtn.org or call 931-648-5717 with questions.