Letter: Adjust calculations for seniors

A few weeks ago, I sent an email to every Clark County state representative detailing the issues we seniors face and the burden property taxes put upon us.

Disappointingly, not one has even acknowledged receipt of my email, much less responded to it.

Property taxes have now become our largest monthly expense. Our property assessment continues to go up, which of course makes the corresponding taxes go up. I understand assessments are based, in part, on sales of comparable homes. This is all well and good for those who intend to sell their house. It does those of us who have no intention of ever selling no good at all, and in fact hurts us greatly.

By no means am I suggesting we should not be paying our fair share in taxes. I am suggesting, however, that our fair share should take into consideration we are on a very strict and limited fixed income

I offered the following suggestions that would help tremendously: Raise the income thresholds for senior property tax relief, reduce property assessments by a set amount each year, and use a different income calculation to determine who qualifies for relief (use adjusted gross income, line 37 on the federal tax form 1040, instead of gross income).

Since I am just one person, I urge all Clark County seniors to contact the state representatives. Maybe they’ll bother to hear us if there are enough complaints.