Albany council approves cancellation of non-enforceable taxes on church property

The Albany County Audit & Finance Committee meeting on May 2, 2025, focused on several key financial matters, including tax corrections and property transactions.

One significant discussion involved the request for approval to correct the tax bill for the 2024 school taxes on a property located at 157 Homestead Avenue. The committee also addressed the cancellation of non-enforceable delinquent real property taxes on 453 Delaware Avenue, a church property that had its tax exemption incorrectly removed in 2015. The exemption was reinstated in 2024 due to a clerical error, leading to unpaid tax bills over the years. The committee acknowledged the lack of legal mechanisms to enforce these taxes against the church and proposed a resolution to declare these taxes unenforceable.

Committee member Mr. Collins raised concerns about how such an oversight could persist for nine years without detection, speculating that both the treasurers and the church may have assumed the tax bills were errors due to their tax-exempt status. The discussion highlighted the challenges in tracking tax exemptions and the impact of administrative errors.

Additionally, the committee approved the conveyance of a property at 194 North Lakes Avenue to a local property owner, Patrick Chu, for $1,000. This transaction is part of a legally adopted disposition plan aimed at economic development and property remediation.

The meeting also included a public hearing on the proposed 2026-2033 Albany County Capital Program. Commissioner Dave Radley presented the plan, which incorporates input from various departments and committee members, and noted that all projects had received unanimous support.

Overall, the meeting underscored the importance of accurate tax administration and the need for ongoing oversight to prevent similar issues in the future. The committee's actions reflect a commitment to addressing past errors while promoting local economic development through property transactions.