Property tax relief program up for JC commission vote

A local property tax relief program for city residents is headed to its final round of commission approval Thursday. The program would provide those eligible for an existing statewide property tax relief program with a local match of that relief. The state property tax relief program is available for low-income elderly and disabled homeowners, and disabled veteran homeowners or their surviving spouses. "While the state of Tennessee offers property tax relief to qualifying individuals, the assistance amount often falls short of fully offsetting their tax burden," states a commission agenda document. "By creating a local match, the city of Johnson City can help close that gap, ensuring these residents receive meaningful relief." Local tax relief programs like the one Johnson City has proposed already exist in Sullivan and Washington counties, and in Bristol, Kingsport and Jonesborough. If the city passes the ordinance Thursday night, it will allow the city to adopt future resolutions that set their local match in accordance to the state's yearly relief amounts, according to information presented during a previous commission meeting. Other items on the agenda In addition to the tax relief program, several items are on the board's consent agenda, including a $7.2 million contract to replace and upgrade HVAC units at Mountainview Elementary and Indian Trail Middle schools. The contract for engineering and contractor services is with Energy Systems Group. It will be fully paid for by the city schools' Peoples Education Plan fund. The commission's meeting will start at 6 p.m. and will be held at the municipal and safety building, 601 E. Main St., inside the commission chambers.