SALEM – Mayor Dominick Pangallo today submitted a comprehensive Property Tax Relief Package to the Salem City Council for their approval. The measure builds on the City’s existing 17 property tax relief programs by expanding assistance for seniors, low-income residents, and individuals with disabilities.
“Salem already offers a wide range of property tax exemptions and abatements, but these measures add to those to continue pushing for a more affordable Salem,” said Mayor Pangallo, “The package I filed today strengthens existing programs and creates new options to further protect seniors and residents with disabilities.”
Key Elements of the Property Tax Relief Package
- Expanded Senior Property Tax Deferral Eligibility
More than doubles the income threshold for Salem’s senior property tax deferral program, setting at the highest level allowed under state law. This change would significantly expand eligibility for the benefit, approximately doubling the number of Salem seniors who would qualify.
- Increased Senior Tax Work-Off Benefit
Increases the maximum benefit available through the City’s senior tax work-off program by 33%, raising it from $1,500 to $2,000, the highest amount allowed by statute.
- Creation of a Taxpayer Aid Fund
Establishes a new Taxpayer Aid Fund to provide direct assistance to seniors and residents with disabilities. By state law, a City committee would oversee the fund and distribute tax relief to qualifying residents each year.
“The timing of this proposal complements our ongoing efforts to reduce the local cost impacts for the new high school project,” added Mayor Pangallo. “The Building Committee has already made design and building choices that have reduced that project’s cost by $242 million, and other measures are being proposed to shift more of the local cost from taxpayers to tourists. Combined with today’s property tax relief proposal, we’re taking positive actions to address the affordability challenges in our community and ensure we can advance the high school project in as thoughtfully and fiscally responsible a manner as possible.”
