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3 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Since You Asked: Hanley Farm likely fed local soldiers ... Opting out: More Medford charter school students are declining to take state tests ... Two-alarm fire burns house in Central Point ... Since You Asked: Hanley Farm likely fed local soldiers ... Opting out: More Medford charter school students are declining to take state tests ... Two-alarm fire burns house in Central Point ... FALLEN HEROES Voters could give property-tax exemption to spouses of fallen officers Comment By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Aug. 3, 2016 at 5:13 PM By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Aug. 3, 2016 at 5:13 PM » Social News The spouses of police officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty could receive a property-tax exemption if Jackson County voters approve the tax relief. The Jackson County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously Wednesday to move the proposal forward. Commissioners will hold a public hearing on the issue at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 17, in the Jackson County Courthouse Auditorium, 10 S. Oakdale Ave., Medford. After the hearing, commissioners can place the proposal on the ballot for the Nov. 8 general election. Commissioner Doug Breidenthal said the property-tax exemption could provide some financial relief to the families of firefighters and police officers who made the ultimate sacrifice on behalf of Jackson County residents. "I believe this is a very positive thing to do. I support this and I hope the citizens of Jackson County also support this," he said. This spring, the Oregon Legislature passed Senate Bill 1513, which allows counties to provide property-tax exemptions on up to $250,000 of assessed property value for surviving spouses of fire-service professionals, police officers and reserve officers. The spouse cannot have remarried. The exemption could save a surviving spouse with a home assessed at $250,000 from $2,500 to $2,900 annually, depending on the location of the property in the county, said Senior Deputy County Administrator Harvey Bragg. The property-tax exemption would cover all taxing jurisdictions in the county. Bragg said there is no estimate of the total cost in reduced tax revenue because no one knows how many spouses could apply. Spouses would apply to the county assessor and submit information that includes a document from a fire or police department saying the person was killed in the line of duty. According to Oregon fallen police and firefighter memorials, since 1970 about 70 police officers and 55 fire-service professionals have died in the line of duty. Since 1995, about 25 police officers and 30 fire-service professionals have died statewide. Staff reporter Vickie Aldous can be reached at 541-776-4486 or [email protected] . Follow her at www.twitter.com/VickieAldous . By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous MailTribune.com By Vickie Aldous Mail Tribune Follow @@VickieAldous Posted Aug. 3, 2016 at 5:13 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501