Committee sets public hearing on proposed local law to raise senior income threshold for partial tax exemption

The Ulster County Legislature’s Laws, Rules and Government Services Committee voted unanimously to set a public hearing Oct. 21 at 7:05 p.m. on a proposed local law that would increase the income range by which senior landowners with limited income are eligible for a partial county tax exemption on their residence. The resolution to schedule the hearing (local law number 11 of 02/2025) was introduced under Resolution 406.

Legislator Stewart, the bill’s sponsor, said the change is intended to “right‑size” the exemption after years without an adjustment. Stewart said the figures prepared by Amber Feaster in Clerk Favella’s office would raise the income cap “from around $36,000 to $50,000,” and described the proposal as “a modest proposal, that would benefit our senior community.”

The resolution drew additional sympathetic remarks from other legislators during committee discussion about the broader effect of unchanged income thresholds. One legislator warned that failing to update means‑tested thresholds can create a benefits cliff that discourages modest income gains.

Committee counsel clarified the statutory age definition that applies to the exemption, saying, “it’s age 65,” by reference to state real property law (section 467), during discussion about the senior definition. Legislator Stewart said she would follow up to confirm the code definitions used in the county law.

The committee took a unanimous voice vote to set the hearing. No ordinance text was adopted at the meeting; the action scheduled a public hearing so the Legislature can receive public comment and consider the proposed local law at a later session.

The committee record shows the sponsor gathered community support before filing the measure; Stewart said she received a constituent petition with about 100 signatures asking for the change and noted the county cap had not been updated since 2012.