NORTHWESTERN LEHIGH BOARD APPROVES SENIOR PROPERTY TAX REBATE

 

Final details of the Senior property tax rebate where finalized at the October 7 th. Finance committee meeting. The Measure ,originally proposed by Board member Joseph Reiter ,was passed at the June 17th. meeting by a 6 to 3 vote. Voting to approve the measure were Ron Morrison, Joe Reiter, Daryl Schafer, Greg Sanders, Leroy Sorenson and Phil Toll.  Voting to oppose the measure , Williard Dellicker , Paul Fisher and Todd Hernandez.

 

The measure will allow up to $650.00 rebate to property owners over 65 or widows or widowers over 50, with income below $35,000.00.  It will match the rebates that come from the state. To qualify for the maximum $650.00 income is under $8000.00. between $18000.00 and $35000.00. rebate is $250.00.  Projected cost is $126,000.00.

 

Applications for the 2015 tax rebate may be filed after July 1, 2016.  Applications will be available at the School district Office.  A copy of the taxpayers rebate from the state will be how the rebate will be calculated.

 

The main opposition to the measure was brought by Williard Dellicker and Todd Hernandez. Dellicker believing it to be redistribution of wealth. He hinted that he will try to repeal the measure with a new board.

 

Reiter claims that it is a Christian duty to help out the elderly and less fortunate.

 

It should be pointed out that many senior citizens are beyond the age where they can increase their income and their most costly expense may be their property taxes,  While the rebate is limited, it will shield them for a while as all expenses ,including taxes ,are expected to increase without any ability to offset these increase's.

 

Many believe it is a good public relations move by the School District to relieve some opposition to high property taxes.

 

Joe Reiter will be leaving the school board in December , The board meetings may actually become boring without the Hatfield and McCoy feuding between Reiter and Dellicker. You have to wonder sometimes, like the movie "Grumpy Old Men", if the Vietnam veterans don't really have a lot of respect and love for each other.

 

All these meetings are open to viewing on the link on the upper right of this page.