Some relief on Taylor taxes might be on the way.
On Thursday, June 9, the Taylor City Council will consider introducing an ordinance to increase the Over 65 Tax Exemption to $40,000 and establish a disabled persons exemption of $40,000.
Since 2002, Taylor has had an exemption on ad valorem taxes, also known as property taxes, for persons who are ages 65 and older for at least $17,500 of property value, which amended previous council action in 1974. The City Council reamended the exemption and increased the relief to $25,000 in 2019 and $30,000 in 2021.
Taylor has not previously exempted property value from ad valorem taxes for homestead properties owned by individuals who qualify for disability benefits. The new ordinance would establish such an exemption for individuals that receive disability benefits under the Federal Old Age, Survivors and Disability Insurance Program.
City staff report that the council has expressed the goal of balancing the financial needs of the city with trying to keep Taylor an affordable place to live. These exemptions would reportedly support that goal.
In other business Thursday, the council is scheduled to:
• hold a public hearing and introduce an ordinance to change the suspension of the prohibition of alcoholic beverages on public property and rights of way within the central business district except within Heritage Square and Pierce Park;
• hold a public hearing and introduce an ordinance to amend a Parks and Recreation chapter on prohibiting consumption or possession of alcoholic beverages within Heritage Square and Pierce Park, and to provide authority to the city manager to temporarily allow possession or consumption within parks normally prohibited;
• receive an update from Simplecity Design on the development ordinances project;
• consider resolution regarding a petition to create a municipal utility district on land within the city’s extraterritorial jurisdiction; and
• consider request to temporarily suspend and ordinance and allow rollerblades in the Taylor Pride event venue June 25.
The council meeting is at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 400 Porter St., in the council chamber. Those wishing to address the council have a threeminute limit and must sign up by 5:45 p.m.
The council agenda and live video stream of the meeting can be found at http://www. taylortx.gov.
