A program that would provide tax relief for the elderly and disabled, and a request for rezoning of a property were both approved by the Cumberland County Board of Supervisors following two public hearings Tuesday.

No members of the public spoke during the hearings.

The purpose of the tax relief program, presented to the board from the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office as an ordinance to amend Division 3 of Chapter 58 of the county code, is “to raise the income limit and the maximum exemption limit for real property tax relief for elderly and disabled persons,” according to the meeting board packet.

The meeting board packet cited that those eligible for a 75 percent tax exemption could have a total income ranging from $0 to $11,000, an extension of the $0 to $8,000 range in the original program.

For those eligible for a 50 percent tax exemption, the total income would range between $11,001 to $22,000, differing from $8,001 to $16,000.

“The person qualifying shall be exempted from the amount of the real estate taxes assessed against such property in an amount not to exceed $400,” the board meeting packet cited.

County Administrator and Attorney Vivian Seay Giles said during the meeting that the Commissioner of the Revenue office also suggested striking the filing deadline completely. The original filing deadline was March 1.

She also noted that the amended tax relief program is more similar to tax relief programs in surrounding counties and would cost the county less than $10,000.

“It is a benefit that is provided to the elderly and disabled citizens of our county for some tax relief,” Giles said.

Following the hearing, members of the board voted unanimously to pass the tax relief ordinance.

Robert Wise, owner of a vacant one-acre property located on the south side of U.S. Route 60 near the Route 13 interchange, requested to rezone his property from Residential-2 (R-2) to Business-1 (B-1).

The property, according to Planning and Zoning Director JP Duncan, is located in a high-intensity growth area, according to the county’s comprehensive plan, and is surrounded by a mixture of single family residential homes and commercial properties.

He said he had not heard any complaints or public comments regarding the rezoning change.

Board members voted unanimously to approve the rezoning request.