LEWISTON — A proposed property tax relief program for seniors that was already in doubt is all but dead after staff said the program could cost as much as $3 million to implement.

During a council discussion Tuesday, officials said the estimated price tag of a program is too high, and would create a further tax burden for the majority of residents.

City staff had proposed a program that would provide up to $600 for homeowners 65 and older who have lived in the city for at least 10 years. While an initial cost estimate reached nearly $1 million, staff said Tuesday that the city attorney recommended that any program also include renters, which ballooned the estimate to some $3 million.

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 — councilors were already reluctant to move forward based on the proposed cost and impact to other taxpayers.

Local officials have been under pressure to address property taxes and the city’s high tax rate, and the city is conducting a revaluation that could impact taxes for the majority of property owners.

City Assessor Bill Healey told councilors that while the initial goal was to help senior property owners, the inclusion of renters would be “expanding this program well beyond what the thought was originally.”

Healey said he was also “caught off guard” when he learned that the state’s now-defunct property tax stabilization program did not include renters, meaning “they didn’t seem to follow (the rules) themselves.”

Asked how other communities such as Cumberland get by operating similar tax relief programs, Healey said those programs also include renters. However, the number of renters in Lewiston is much higher.

Councilors on Tuesday said they would like to help seniors who have paid property taxes for years, but spending a large amount of money on a relief program means other taxpayers will have to make up the difference.

Councilor David Chittim said the council could ultimately decide to change the criteria to make the program less costly, but said “this is a much larger issue.”

“How are we going to equitably create a program that’s fair for everyone?” he asked, adding that he would qualify for the age restriction but is concerned “about the 42-year-old single mother who is struggling to make rent.”

“Even without renters (included), that’s a hard choice to make. It’s a big ask for the rest of the city,” Councilor Eryn Soule-Leclair said.

In Auburn, officials recently approved the framework of a relief program that could be funded this spring, but at a much lower estimated cost. Mayor Jeff Harmon said Wednesday that Auburn’s program includes renters but the qualifying criteria for the program put its estimated cost between $300,000 and $400,000.

Councilor Josh Nagine said that with a city tax base “that hasn’t grown,” if Lewiston defers taxes for some residents “we’re requiring other residents to pay more of that share.”

Nagine also pressed the city to “work with folks who are behind on their taxes,” instead of taking a more hardline approach. He said many seniors who may be looking to downsize can’t “because there’s no other housing.”

Mayor Carl Sheline has maintained that Lewiston is facing a tight budget year, and was skeptical of the original program cost.

“We certainly have seniors who are struggling,” he said. “The cost of housing, the cost of a lot of things has risen. Unfortunately I’m really concerned about the cost this would impose on the city. We’re looking at an extremely tough budget this year.”

Sheline pointed to the Androscoggin County budget, which is slated to increase by 14%, as well as shared costs with Auburn for the Citylink bus service.

“Pressures on the budget this year are going to be monumental,” he said. “We don’t even have the money to give everyone $10.”

Councilor Michael Roy, who had supported the development of a tax relief program, said he plans to “go back to the drawing board” and come back with an alternate proposal.

Healey said he believes the city should better promote the property tax fairness credit, which taxpayers can qualify for when filing their income tax return. He said for people who don’t pay income tax, they can file just an addendum.