Washington County, Tennessee commissioners hold workshop on senior tax freeze

WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. — Washington County, Tennessee commissioners held a special-called work session Monday night, focused on a possible tax freeze program for seniors.

The hourlong session featured a presentation from Ken Morrell, projects manager at the Tennessee Comptroller’s Office.

If Washington County signs on to the tax freeze program, people age 65 and up with an income under $45,100 could apply. The freeze would only apply to a home and up to five acres, not a business or farm on the same land.

Morrell gave the example, “I’ve got my principal residence and I’ve got an auto repair shop on the same property. It’s the part that goes with the principal residence.”

READ MORE | Tennessee Comptroller’s Office Tax Freeze Program

Twenty-seven counties and 36 cities in Tennessee are already part of the program.

Tax payments would only go up if the owner makes improvements to their home. Tax rate hikes and reassessments would have no impact.

The downside, Morrell said, is everyone else could end up paying more.

“You can obviously see a scenario where you have to add a little bit more to the rate to make up the difference the tax freeze people are not paying,” he said.

Mayor Joe Grandy said after the meeting, it was more complicated than he expected, but he believes it’s doable.

“I think people are saying, ‘Look, if these taxes go up much more, I may lose my home.’ So I think it’s really important for those folks in Washington County to be protected,” Grandy said.

However, there was no vote at the workshop, and commission chair Greg Matherly said any proposal would need to start in a committee.

That leaves some residents questioning whether commissioners are serious about taking action.

“I think it’s because the election is coming up in August and people are watching what’s being done in the county offices, and they want some help. It’s one thing to say it, but it’s another thing to do it,” resident Karen Nelson said.

WCYB