BOE Member Cleveland Signals He is Open to Raising Age for Forsyth Senior Tax Exemption

Previous efforts to raise the age for the Forsyth senior property tax exemption were rebuffed after public outcry in 2022, but it seems at least one Board of Education member is open to raising the age of eligibility for the exemption from 65 to 70.

When asked during a Forsyth County Republican Party debate where he stood on raising the age for the senior exemption from 65 to 70 as proposed in 2022, Cleveland said:

“Raising the age? It just depends. I would almost say we could, there is a lot of flexibility in that. Do we do it? I don’t think so. I would like to see it raised. I think commercial is the way to go, though.”

Cleveland stated he thought a raise in age should incorporate grandfathering in those already receiving the exemption, which was a concept incorporated in the 2022 draft resolution.

Forsyth Homeowners previously reported on a resolution presented to the board by Superintendent Jeff Bearden in a private meeting. Emails show that the only board member who objected to Bearden’s proposal was Wes McCall. Cleveland did not take a public position in 2022 and multiple homeowners told Forsyth Homeowners he did not reply to their emails or phone calls inquiring where he stood on the issue.

Over 5,000 Forsyth County residents signed a petition in opposition to the proposed change in 2022 and the proposal was never brought forward for an official vote.