(a)
In addition to any other exemptions authorized by law, from and after January 1, 1997, $50,000.00 of the assessed value of residence homesteads as defined by law of persons who have attained the age of sixty-five (65) years on or before January 1st of the year for which the exemption is claimed shall be exempted from ad valorem taxes.
(b)
Where the ad valorem tax of any such person of the age of sixty-five (65) years or older has heretofore been pledged for the payment of any debt, the taxing officers of any taxing authority shall have the authority to continue to levy and collect the tax against the real and/or personal property of said person at the same rate as the tax so pledged until the debt is discharged, if the cessation of the levy would impair the obligation of the contract by which the debt was created.
(c)
In order to secure the benefit of the exemption, the owner of such property shall, between January 1st and April 15th of each year the exemption is claimed, file with the tax assessor and collector for any such taxing authority, on such form furnished by said tax assessor and collector, proof of age as required to complete such form.
(Ordinance 106 adopted 3/25/97)