(A) Exemption. Upon compliance with all requirements of this section and all other applicable laws and ordinances, $5,000 of the total assessed value of residence homesteads of persons 65 years of age or older shall be exempt from ad valorem taxes levied by the city.
(B) Application for exemption.
(1) The exemption provided for by this section shall not be allowed unless the person claiming the exemption shall file with the City Tax Assessor-Collector documentary proof of age satisfactory to the Tax Assessor-Collector and a sworn claim for the exemption, describing the property for which exemption is sought, on forms prescribed by the Tax Assessor-Collector, giving complete information as provided for by the forms. The application for exemption shall be made annually for each year that the exemption is sought.
(2) After the application, all necessary proof and any other necessary information has been filed, the Tax Assessor-Collector shall determine eligibility for the exemption. The determination of the Tax Assessor-Collector shall be final and the property in question shall be placed on the tax rolls of the city in accordance with the determination. However, in the event the Tax Assessor-Collector should deny the application for exemption, notice shall be given to the applicant within ten days of the determination and in any event no later than the submission of all assessment lists to the Board of Equalization. However, there shall be no appeal of the Tax Assessor-Collector’s determination.
(C) Limitations of exemption. The exemption authorized shall extend only to a residential homestead as same may be defined by the laws of the state. The exemptions shall be allowed only if the property in question is in the face of the residential homestead of the applicant and the person has attained the age of 65 years on January 1 of the taxable year in question. The exemption shall be granted if one has attained the age of 65 years on the applicable date even though the other has not attained that age.
(D) Effective date. An emergency is apparent for the immediate preservation of order, health, safety and general welfare of the public, which emergency requires the suspension of the rule providing for the reading of an ordinance on three separate days, and requires that this section become effective immediately upon its passage, as provided by the charter of the city.
(Ord. 735, passed 9-12-1973)