The Clay County Commission passed the Senior Tax Credit November 30. Provisions of the ordinance take effect January 1, 2025. The passage comes after months of work by the Commission and Clay County staff to craft a plan that applies to all eligible Clay County residents who are 62 years old or older.

***Western Commissioner Jon Carpenter was the only commissioner to vote “NO” on the Senior tax credit***

Commissioners were happy the board was able to pass this ordinance for senior residents. “I’m so pleased to provide a tax break for senior citizens who have faithfully supported Clay County for years,” said Eastern Commissioner At-Large JoAnn Lawson. “If you are 62 or older you will be receiving information next year to explain hot to receive the freeze.”

Under Clay County 2023-ORD-42, eligible Clay County residents will be able to apply to participate in the Senior Tax Credit Program beginning in 2025. To be eligible, the Clay County resident must own, or have a legal interest in, a home within the county, claim that property as their primary residence and be responsible for paying real estate taxes on that property. The resident may only claim one home as a primary residence.

The tax credit is not retroactive and all Clay County residents eligible for the tax credit in 2025, and who apply in 2025, will have a base tax year of 2024. The tax credit is calculated by subtracting the real estate property tax of the base year from the current year’s real estate property tax. Persons becoming eligible after 2025, will have a base year equal to the year prior to application.

It will be up to citizens to request the property tax credit annually in writing through Clay County.

The ordinance passed by a vote of 5-1 with Commissioner Jon Carpenter voting no.

KPGZ News - Brian Watts contributed to this story