Rutherford County’s Board of Commissioners weighs in on freezing the property taxes of qualifying senior citizens at its monthly meeting Thursday night.

The commission’s resolution will freeze property taxes for the approximately 4,000 seniors who make less than the county’s median income or $35,200 per year.

The county’s Steering and Budget committees recommended implementing the tax freeze at meetings last week.

The county also has two property tax relief programs that benefit low-income seniors and disabled veterans, Budget Committee Chairwoman Joyce Ealy explained previously.

The commission will also vote on whether to continue these programs along with the senior tax freeze.

In November 2006, voters across the state approved plans to relieve some pressure from seniors’ wallets and possibly save some homes from the taxman by freezing property taxes.

For as long as they qualify for the program, qualifying senior homeowners’ property taxes will not increase if the county increases the property tax rate in the future.

Other commission business:

- Resolution Authorizing County Mayor to Execute Appeal Bond

- Resolution Authorizing Time and Materials Task Order with Cornerstone, LLC for Jail Expansion Planning and Related Budget Amendment

- Report from Schools Director Harry Gill on all current renovation projects

- Resolution to Approve Execution of Second Amendment to Lease Between Rutherford County and the City of Murfreesboro for the Ag Center at Old Fort Park

- Resolution to Approve 40 mph Speed Limit on Shores Road

Public Hearings:

- Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit Request 08-A019: Eugene Davenport, located at Flat Rock Road; from existing Zoning – R-15; Proposed Zoning – Services; Conditional Use Permit is for Auto shop, storage of junk cars and towing lot.  Size of the site is approximately two acres.

- Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit Request 08-A020: David Coleman, located at 9300 Franklin Road; Existing Zoning – R-15; Proposed Zoning – Services; Conditional Use Permit is for Auto repair shop.  Size of the site is approximately one acre.

- Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit Request 08-A022: Buford Powell, located at Midland Road; Existing Zoning – R-15; Proposed Zoning – Services; Conditional Use Permit is for a Baseball Training Facility. Size of the site is approximately 4.2 acres.

- Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit Request 08-A015: Richard and Nancy Porter, located at 10238 Lebanon Road; Existing Zoning – R-15; Proposed Zoning – Services; Conditional Use Permit is for Storage Units.  Size of the site is approximately 4.3 acres

- Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit Request 08-A023: Tristea Bankston, located at 5154 Almaville Road; Existing Zoning – R-15; Proposed Zoning – Services; Conditional Use Permit for a Daycare Center. Size of the site is approximately 0.46 acres.

- Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit Request 08-A024: Donald Wolff, located at Miller Road; Existing Zoning – Pre-1984 Commercial; Proposed Zoning – Industrial; Conditional Use Permit for a Distribution Center. Size of site is approximately 10 acres.

- Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit Request 08-A026: Skipper Smotherman, located at Baker Road; Existing Zoning – R-15; Proposed Zoning – Services; Conditional Use Permit for a Self Storage Facility. Size of site is approximately 5.5 acres

- Amendment to Conditional Use Permit Request 08-A027: Prentiss Holt, located at Rucker Road; Existing Zoning – R-15 with CUP for PRD; Amendment Requested – amend the PRD, Stonebridge Estates, to allow a proposed home size of 1,000 to 2,500 square feet.

- Rezoning and Conditional Use Permit Request 08-A028 Steve Zavisa, located at 4087 Asbury Lane; Existing Zoning – R-15; Proposed Zoning – Services; Conditional Use Permit for a Photo Studio. Size of site is approximately four acres.

- Amendment to Zoning Resolution Section 13.04, Accessory Structures and Uses

- Amendment to Zoning Resolution, Adding Sections 1.09, Conflicting Ordinance Clause and 1.10, Severability Clause

The complete commission agenda can be found here. 

Michelle Willard can be contacted at 615-869-0816 or mwillard@murfreesboropost.com.