Minutes 04-14-2026-Work Session - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

14 Commissioner Portie-Ascott said in the scenario where a homeowner passes away and then the home is inherited, could that person qualify. Blake Rosser said under that scenario they would not qualify under the commissioner hold harmless proposal. He said under the staff proposal,they could be considered for an exemption. Commissioner Portie-Ascott asked if it is still possible if they don't live there. Blake Rosser said they must live there. Commissioner Carter asked the County Attorney to review the legality of the hold harmless proposal. John Roberts said the county doesn't have the authority to impact taxes that are imposed. He said the county has the authority to provide programs for people based on their income. He said as long as the program focuses on low and moderate income as the primary determining factor, it should be ok. Commissioner McKee said he thought the program would be best run under the current grant program structure. He said he wants to provide relief to the people who need it the most. He encouraged the Board to keep the structure of the program simple. Vice-Chair Fowler asked if there would be a maximum amount of assistance. She asked if the current program had a maximum of$1,000 in assistance. Blake Rosser said that is correct. Commissioner McKee said he is open to discussion about the proposal. He noted that a 1 cent tax increase on a $1 million home is$100. Vice-Chair Fowler asked if an applicant could use both programs. Commissioner McKee said it would be simpler to run it as a separate component to the Longtime Homeowner's Assistance program. Commissioner Carter suggested finding a way using the existing structure by refining it and providing a higher award for someone who meets the extra criteria, of 20 years of ownership, and 30% AMI. She said that would keep the county in the existing legal structure but also give an additional benefit to those who need it most. Commissioner McKee said he was open to any ideas. He explained his reasons for wanting to create a program that helps vulnerable residents. Commissioner Bedford supported the idea. She said it only applies to Orange County taxes. She said this would be for people's primary residence. She gave an example of a household situation where two elderly sisters live in a home, but only one owns it. She asked staff to keep an eye on potential unforeseen circumstances. She said this is a good idea and if it needs to be tweaked after the first round the Board could revisit. Chair Hamilton said she liked keeping this within the existing Longtime Homeowner's Assistance program, provided it meets legal requirements. She cautioned that there may be a time where the "held harmless"group receives more in benefits than other groups. She requested more data on the proposal. Commissioner McKee said the Board or future Boards can make adjustments as necessary. Chair Hamilton cautioned against adjusting each year as it makes it difficult for people to plan. Vice-Chair Fowler asked for more information on how the program would be administered. She asked for clarification on if people could qualify for the Longtime Homeowners Assistance as well as a hold harmless provision. Commissioner McKee said the hold harmless would only apply to future tax increases. Commissioner Bedford agreed with that interpretation and there would be no $1,000 maximum for those folks. Blake Rosser said assistance would increase each year if their taxes increased. Vice-Chair Fowler asked if the Longtime Homeowners part would apply first, and then the county would consider what ever they paid this year including that.