At its last meeting, the Otsego Town Board reviewed the recent New York legislative rule that gave local taxing authorities the option to grant a 10 percent property tax exemption to qualified volunteer firemen and EMT workers. After a lengthy discussion, the board voted to table the issue pending further review by the town’s attorney, Will Green.
At the meeting, Green pointed out that volunteers would have to make a choice between receiving the $200.00 per year tax credit to which they are already entitled and exercising the option for the tax exemption. Because the difference between the credit and the amount that would result from taking the exemption was so great, it would make no economic sense for any volunteer to exercise the option when applied to the town’s real estate tax liability on the average house, Green explained.
Nevertheless, as Supervisor Ben Bauer noted, if the other taxing authorities—such as the school district and the county—passed a similar law providing for the exemption, then the total might be sufficiently high enough to have the exercise of the option make sense, but only if applied to a very high real-estate valuation.
It was the general consensus that the real intent of the state was to shift the cost of the volunteer tax credit from the state to the localities. However, rather than not passing the law, it was decided any final decision should await future developments. Since any option would have no effect until the 2024 tax year, there was no time pressure and the issue could be tabled until some future date.
At its monthly meeting on February 8, the Town Council of the Town of Otsego considered what to do with a newly enacted state law that permits each local taxing authority to pass a law granting a 10 percent real estate tax exemption for active volunteer firemen and ambulance workers.
Fire Chief Chris Voulo of the Fly Creek Volunteer Fire Company spoke out in favor of having the town pass the enabling law to assist in the ability of the Fire Company to attract volunteers.
DISCUSSION—6:30 p.m. The League of Women Voters of Cooperstown present “Making Democracy Work Close to Home: A Conversation with Two Local Officials” featuring County Board Chair David Bliss and and Otsego Town Supervisor Ben Bauer. The two officials will be discussing the importance of running for office, delineating its challenges and rewards, and what compelled them to run for office. Held in the Community Room at the Clark Sports Center, Cooperstown. Visit my.lwv.org/new-york/cooperstown-area/calendar
BLOOD DRIVE—1 – 6 p.m. Save up to 3 lives with the American Red Cross. New Lisbon Town Hall, 908 County Road 16, Garratsville. Register at redcrossblood.org
The League of Women Voters of the Cooperstown Area will sponsor an informal discussion with Chairman of the Otsego County Board of Representatives Dave Bliss and Town of Otsego Supervisor Ben Bauer on Monday, November 28 at 6:30 p.m. in the Clark Sports Center Community Room.
The two lawmakers will speak on the importance of running for office, delineating its challenges and rewards, and what compelled them to run for office and serve their friends and neighbors. This event is free and open to the public.
