County officials opened a brief public hearing on a proposed local law to change tax-exemption rules for volunteer firefighters and ambulance corps members but received no public testimony.

The hearing, held virtually and announced as related to Resolution 177 of 02/2025, centered on "A local law to amend chapter 220 article 10 entitled exemption for qualified members of volunteer fire departments and ambulance corps," which was read aloud by Dane Pasquachella, chief of staff for the county executive. The presiding officer said the notice was posted in the county's official papers and on the county website.

The nut graf: County officials opened the hearing to allow public comment on the proposed amendment, confirmed that the required public notice was published, and recorded that there were no in-person or written submissions before adjourning to reconvene at 5 p.m. for a later hearing.

At the start, the presiding officer asked Pasquachella to lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Pasquachella led the pledge and then read the title of the resolution: "A local law to amend chapter 220 article 10 entitled exemption for qualified members of volunteer fire departments and ambulance corps." The presiding officer stated the notice had been posted in the county's official newspapers, the Public County Press and the Public County News Recorder, and on the county website.

The presiding officer opened the floor for public comment and asked whether any attendees wished to testify; none did. The presiding officer then asked confidential secretary Lisa Regalie whether any comments had been submitted electronically or by U.S. mail; Regalie reported none. With no oral or written comments, the presiding officer adjourned the session and said the body would convene again at 5 p.m. for the next hearing.

This session was procedural: no debate on the merits of the proposed amendment occurred, and no vote or directive was taken. The transcript shows only the reading of the resolution title, confirmation of public notice publication, the absence of public comment, and adjournment until the later scheduled hearing.