County tables Stockport solar pilot proposal amid valuation and statutory questions

Supervisors voted to table a proposed pilot payment agreement for a solar project in the Town of Stockport after members raised questions about how new state assessment guidance would affect the county’s expected payments. The packet included a developer proposal for an RPNY solar installation and the county’s staff recommended a pilot payment structure with an increased base payment (the packet noted an increase to 8 cents). The sponsor told supervisors that state guidance and a recent court decision affecting assessment formulas — referenced in the discussion as “RPTL 57‑b,” which a presenter said was held unconstitutional in March and is now on appeal and stayed — change how assessors must calculate values for solar and wind projects. A supervisor asked whether the pilot could leave money on the table or lock the county in at a lower payment under the new assessment rules. After discussion about whether underlying land would still be taxed at fair market value and whether the pilot could exceed the assessor’s eventual calculation, a supervisor moved to table; another supervisor seconded. The chair called the voice vote: “All those in favor? Aye.” The motion carried and the resolution will return to committee after further review by county counsel. Recorded action: motion to table the solar pilot resolution (mover and seconder not specified in the transcript); outcome: tabled by voice vote. No ordinance or payment agreement was approved at the meeting.