LEWISTON — The City Council is considering a property tax relief program for seniors but the reality of it being implemented is in doubt as officials head into a difficult budget season.

During a council workshop Tuesday, City Assessor Bill Healey said he looked at other programs around the state when putting together a framework for what a Lewiston program could look like. Most, if not all municipal relief programs, limit benefits to those 65 and older who have lived in the same residence for a number of years, and also qualify based on income.

Healey proposed that Lewiston require living in the same home for 10 years, while having a household income under $60,000. Based on data from residents who had applied for a now-defunct state tax stabilization program, Healey estimated the program could cost $956,000 or more to implement.

While officials in the region and across the state have considered similar programs due to rising property taxes and constant concern from constituents — particularly seniors on fixed incomes — some said they are reluctant to move forward.

Councilor Scott Harriman said he’s not opposed to the program in concept, but he’s concerned about how the city will pay for it.

“If we give some a tax break, other residents will have to pay for that,” he said.

When a councilor suggested the $956,000 be added to the proposed budget ahead of budget talks, acting Administrator Brian O’Malley said he could “add that in, but be prepared for some sticker shock when you see the final numbers.”

Councilor David Chittim referenced other expenses that are adding to a tough budget year, including proposed increases in the Androscoggin County budget, Citylink bus service and requested funds for a homeless shelter and more.

“We’re looking at a budget now that’s growing by leaps and bounds,” he said.

The council ultimately decided to take up the program framework during an upcoming meeting, but did not add the cost into the working budget.

Mayor Carl Sheline was direct in his opposition to the tax relief program, arguing that while he wants to find ways to help seniors, next year’s budget looks “extremely tight” and he’s hoping the council can get through the process without having to lay off staff.

“We are not in a position to consider any new programs or services at this point,” he said Wednesday. “Our seniors are a valuable part of our community and I know many of them are struggling. Having said that, we don’t have a million spare dollars. Taxes will go up for everyone else or we will need to cut services and staff that will affect the entire city. I would like us to explore other ways we can help our seniors that don’t adversely affect the rest of our community.”

Auburn recently approved the framework for a tax relief program for seniors, but will ultimately not decide on how much funding it receives until budget season.

Healey said he worked in Cumberland when it implemented its tax relief program, which works under the same perimeters, and that Lewiston could instead set aside a specific pool of money that is then divvied up based on the number of applicants. He said some years the municipality might not spend it all based on the number of applications, with the funding then rolling over to the next.

According to Healey’s presentation, the maximum an applicant could receive is $600 based on income. He said he estimated the cost of the program based on the number of Lewiston residents who qualified for the state’s tax stabilization program, which was 1,600 in 2023.

“That could be on the low end,” he said, because the city doesn’t know how many people didn’t apply for the stabilization program but would have qualified.

Councilors Michael Roy and Tim Gallant said they supported adding the funds into the budget ahead of deliberations, mostly in order to show seniors “that we’re trying.”

“I think we owe it to everybody that we’re going to try,” Roy said.

At one point, Roy said he’s been asking for some type of relief program for a long time. He suggested that with the upcoming property revaluation, perhaps the city could use the “extra money” to fund the program.

However, Healey said that’s a common misconception with revaluations. A revaluation does not generate more income for a municipality, it redistributes the tax burden based on property values.

Rising property taxes have become an issue statewide, and residents have expressed their dissatisfaction during revaluation efforts not only in Lewiston, but in Portland, South Portland, Bangor and now Auburn.

Appraisers in Lewiston were so unsuccessful in their effort to get inside people’s homes last year that the city announced in December that it was giving up, and sending out data mailers instead.

According to WalletHub, Maine has the highest property tax burden in the country, and is ranked fourth in overall tax burden. The website calculates the property tax burden as a percentage of personal income.