Panel reviewing senior tax cut to hold first meeting this week

A 15-member citizens task force charged with examining possible changes to a law giving older Howard County homeowners a major property tax cut is to hold its first meeting at 2 p.m. Wednesday in the Tyson Room of the George Howard Building in Ellicott City.

The committee is to limit its review to the size of the tax cut and the income limit for eligibility, and it is to report back to the County Council by mid-February. The group is then to continue a broader review of the law and issue a final report in November.

The tax-cut law, approved by the last County Council on Oct. 30 -- the group's last meeting before the November election -- gives a 25 percent property tax cut to homeowners 70 or older with incomes less than $75,000. It also freezes their bills until the home is sold.