Mark Siedlecki, Democratic candidate for assessor of property, said after he called on the Hamilton County Commission to support property tax relief for low-income senior citizens, Republican candidate Marty Haynes "announced his indifference to the critical initiative."
Mr. Siedlecki said,“I cannot fathom why Commissioner Haynes has not and will not use his position to protect our vulnerable seniors from losing their homes due to rising values.
If he isn’t working for the people of Hamilton County, you have to wonder about his priorities. As your next assessor of property, I will work every day to keep seniors in the homes they have worked their entire lives to keep.
”The Tennessee Tax Freeze program protects elderly homeowners from rises in assessments in addition to tax increases imposed by county commissions. While property tax rates in Hamilton County haven’t risen in recent years due to skyrocketing home values, property tax bills have increased sharply. This puts our elderly homeowners at risk of losing their homes.
"To date, 51 counties and cities in Tennessee have taken advantage of this valuable program, overwhelmingly approved by 83 percent of voters in 2006. Hamilton County still has not, despite the minimal cost involved. I will continue to push our county commission to protect Hamilton County seniors."