Commission reports 98% renewal rate after outreach for senior tax credit

Christian County officials told the commission they achieved a 98% renewal/participation rate for the county’s senior property tax credit after targeted outreach that included mailed reminders, public notices and direct phone calls to residents who had not responded.

County staff said 2,722 applications were new this year and a total of 4,054 residents completed or renewed applications after the county mailed roughly 4,121 reminders and ran media notices. County callers reached 328 people directly in the final days before the application deadline; staff said many residents thanked county personnel for the reminder.

Officials said 67 remaining cases are being pursued with a follow-up letter; the county expects some of those to be resolved downward because of deaths, moves out of county, or moves to assisted living. Commissioners said they plan to pursue a local ordinance amendment and work with the collector to remove or simplify notarization requirements for renewals going forward to reduce barriers for seniors.

Commissioners credited the county collector, assessor and clerk’s offices for extensive administrative work, postage expenses and software purchases required to implement the program and to achieve the high renewal rate.