County commissioners took a chance Monday night by approving a senior property tax freeze without knowing how much revenue the county could potentially lose.

The resolution, however, included an amendment — proposed by District 2 Commissioner Keith Politi — that will require the Budget Committee to conduct a cost-benefit analysis each year and present the results to the commission.

State law allows commissioners to terminate the program at any time through a separate resolution.

More than 3,400 households are projected to be eligible for the tax freeze program.

County Trustee Brenda Radford said she'll begin accepting applications April 1 to apply for the upcoming property tax rate, which has yet to be set.

Eligible applicants must be at least 65 years old and have a combined household income of less than $31,780.

Radford previously said the tax freeze won't affect the county's revenue this year, as it will be based on the current tax rate, but the 2009 tax year, with its countywide reappraisal, could yield a different outcome.

Radford also said she would need to hire additional employees.

However, she said she would be willing to hire those employees on a contractual basis, which would not require benefits.

The state Legislature created the Property Tax Freeze Program in June 2007, after voters across the state resoundingly approved it in a referendum the previous year.

Since then nine counties in Tennessee have approved their own version of the tax freeze.

Nate Karlin covers county government, the School Board and diversity. He can be reached by phone at 245-0276 or by e-mail at natekarlin@theleafchronicle.com.