(A) Senior citizens hardship special assessment deferral. After making a special assessment, the Council may, at its discretion, defer the payment of that assessment for any homestead property owned by a person 65 years of age or older for whom it would be a hardship to make the payments. The Council shall adopt a resolution establishing standards and guidelines for determining the existence of a hardship relative to any special assessment adopted under this chapter. The standards and guidelines shall be made in a non-discriminatory manner and shall not give the applicant an unreasonable preference or advantage over other applicants.
(B) Procedure to obtain deferred assessment. The eligible homeowner shall make application for deferred payment of special assessments on forms prescribed by the County Auditor. Where the deferred assessment is granted, the Auditor shall record a notice thereof with the County Recorder which shall set forth the amount of the assessment. The Council may determine by resolution the amount of interest, if any, on the deferred assessment, and this rate shall be recorded by the Auditor along with and in the same manner as the amount of the assessment.
(C) Termination of right to deferred payment. The option to defer the payment of special assessments shall terminate, and all amounts accumulated, plus applicable interest, shall become due upon the occurrence of any of the following events:
(1) The death of the owner; provided that, the spouse is otherwise not eligible for the benefits hereunder;
(2) The sale, transfer or subdivision of the property or any part thereof;
(3) If the property should, for any reason, lose its homestead status; or
(4) If, for any reason, the Council shall determine that there would be no hardship to require immediate or partial payment.
(Prior Code, § 202.13)