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Law and Finance committee forwards request to state on occupancy tax change; approves large budget reappropriation and sewer work
Summary
The committee approved a home-rule request asking the state legislature to amend Saratoga County's occupancy tax law (removing a four-unit exemption and setting a 3% cap), voted to reappropriate $41.96 million in unspent funds, and approved sewer district engineering and valve replacement contracts.
The Saratoga County Law and Finance Committee on Feb. 12 approved a resolution asking the county’s legislative delegation to introduce home-rule legislation to amend the county’s occupancy tax law and carried several budget and sewer-related measures.
The requested home-rule change would remove a four-unit minimum exemption that County staff said could prevent collection under the new state short-term rental law and would set a 3% cap on the county’s occupancy tax rate. Committee members debated whether a 3% cap is sufficient; one supervisor asked whether asking for a higher cap would be preferable, and staff described the proposed language as a practical compromise because concurrent city and county increases could create a much higher combined rate.
The committee also approved a housekeeping reappropriation of unspent funds from prior years totaling $41,961,165.13, an annual administrative consolidation that county staff said covers ongoing contracts and grants.
On sewer-district business, the committee approved an amendment to the agreement with Wright-Pierce Engineering Consultants for additional construction administration and design services totaling $70,000 and an agreement with Flak Industries Inc. for approximately $117,960 to replace about 15 valves at the Saratoga County Sewer District No. 1 wastewater treatment plant. The committee also approved acceptance and disbursement of a New York State Septic System Replacement Program reimbursement of $4,375 for a Clifton Park resident.
Motions to approve the Law and Finance agenda were made and seconded and carried on voice votes without recorded roll-call tallies.
Next steps: If approved by the full Board of Supervisors (the committee forwarded the items for board consideration), county staff said it will request the Saratoga County members of the state Senate and Assembly to introduce the home-rule change during the current legislative session.
