NORWICH – A proposed local law to exempt a percentage of property taxes for seniors living in the City of Norwich is being considered by members of the city council and, pending a public hearing, is expected to pass.

Last month, city official received a proposal to amend a currently existing city ordinance that allows for partial exemption of certain real property owned by residents who are 65 years of age and older. Changes to the ordinance, permitted by the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance, would raise income eligibility for the first time in over two decades for seniors to qualify for a property tax exemption.

A public hearing for the amendment is scheduled for 7 p.m., Nov. 19 at One City Plaza.

The ordinance to provide seniors a partial property tax exemption was first adopted by the city in 1967. But eligibility guidelines have been amended 11 times since, most recently in 1990.

The newly proposed amendment calls for a 50 percent exemption for seniors who receive $11,000 or less annual income (an increase from the existing $9,200 benchmark to qualify for the same exemption). Seniors earning between $11,000 and $11,999 will receive a 45 percent exemption; seniors earning $12,000-$12,999, a 40 percent exemption; $13,000-$13,999, a 35 percent exemption; $14,000-$14,900, a 30 percent exemption; $14,901-$15,800, a 25 percent exemption; and $15,801-$16,700, a 20 percent exemption.