Efficiencies, Including Center Street
School Closing, Equal Tax Rebates
MILFORD – Eligible homeowners in the ONC BOCES region – some in the Oneonta and Cooperstown school districts – are slated to receive a tax rebate check due to the successful completion of an efficiency plan.
The state announced checks would be mailed starting next Tuesday.
The Oneonta City School District was able to contribute $300,000 in savings by closing the Center Street School, the largest single efficiency.
Eighteen of 19 ONC BOCES school districts collaborated on a shared efficiency plan that achieved nearly a million dollars in savings beyond what was required under the state’s Property Tax Freeze Credit Law.
The credit was adopted as part of the 2014-15 state budget. It reimburses qualifying homeowners for local property tax increases on their primary residences.
In the first year of the law, homeowners in districts that stayed within their calculated tax levy limits, or “caps,” qualified for rebates.
In the second year of the program, homeowners in districts that stay within their 2015-16 tax levy limit and that receive approval for a shared services/efficiency plan will be eligible for a second rebate check.
Much of the $2,041,096 savings came from individual districts changing employee health insurance providers, while additional savings came from shared services.
The plan ultimately shows savings of $969,255 more than what was required by the state.
In addition to Oneonta and Cooperstown, districts participating are Andes, Charlotte Valley, Cherry Valley-Springfield, Gilboa-Conesville, Hunter-Tannersville, Jefferson, Laurens, Margaretville, Milford, Morris, Roxbury, Schenevus, South Kortright, Stamford, Windham-Ashland-Jewitt and Worcester. Edmeston Central School District opted to do its own plan.
Eligible homeowners are those that receive the STAR property tax credit for their primary residence and who have an annual household income less than $500,000. The amount of the checks will vary due to a range of factors.
