Scotts Valley supports senior-friendly property tax program

The Scotts Valley City Council voted at its Sept. 1 meeting in favor of a resolution to support property tax deferral for low-income seniors and disabled adults.
Councilwoman Donna Lind, who asked that the issue be put on the council’s agenda, said that as economy flounders, many older people are losing their homes.
“I think we often forget about doing what we can to protect our seniors,” Lind said. “This economy makes it even more difficult for them, which is heartbreaking.”
Assembly Bill 1718, sponsored by Assemblyman Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley), hopes to restore the Senior Citizens’ Property Tax Postponement Program, which was axed last year because of budget cuts.
The 30-year-old program allowed eligible seniors and disabled people to delay paying property taxes on their homes in exchange for full reimbursement, plus interest, once the home was sold or transferred or the eligible homeowner died.
AB 1718 would work essentially the same way, but counties would take over management.
“It basically allows seniors the dignity of being in their own homes,” Lind said.
The bill was passed by the Legislature on Aug. 31 and is on its way to the governor.
If it becomes law, seniors who meet the following criteria would qualify to defer their property taxes:
*Participants must have an annual income that does not exceed $35,000.
*Homeowners must have reached the age of eligibility for full Social Security benefits by the Dec. 10 filing period deadline or be blind or disabled as defined in Section 12050 of the Welfare and Institutions Code.
*They must have an equity of at least 20 percent of the full assessed value or 20 percent of the full-market value of the home, sufficient to protect the county’s interest after tax deferment.