Mount Vernon council accepts delinquent-tax list; members discuss protections for low-income seniors

The Mount Vernon City Council on Wednesday accepted the controller’s list of delinquent taxes and approved related procedures that set the city on a path toward tax-lien sales and in rem foreclosures.

The vote—part of an ordinance from the controller’s office—moves the process into the next administrative steps required by the city and Westchester County, including required publications and an expected request-for-proposals (RFP) to manage sales. Council members used the discussion to press for clearer protections for low-income homeowners, especially seniors, and to ask the comptroller for data on past tax-amnesty programs.

Councilman Poteet said he supports moving the list forward but asked the council and comptroller to consider additional help for “quite a number of low-income seniors who are homeowners in our city who are struggling to pay taxes.” He urged that the administration examine options beyond immediate sale, such as expanded payment plans or targeted relief. “I would humbly ask that we do a better job of helping them,” Poteet said during the discussion.

Councilman Thompson directed homeowners in arrears to contact the comptroller’s office and said the office is available to work out payment plans. “Don’t ignore your notices,” Thompson said. “Come into the comptroller’s office. They’re not there to take your house away from you. They’re there to assist.”

Councilwoman Gleeson said she would support another tax amnesty program if the council decides it’s appropriate and requested that the finance committee gather data on past amnesties and participation rates before moving forward.

City officials described the next steps the administration must take after the council’s acceptance of the list. The comptroller must meet publishing requirements, file documentation with the Westchester County Clerk and other city departments, and then begin public notices. Officials also said the comptroller’s office anticipates issuing an RFP related to the sale or disposition of properties on the list; timing for the RFP was described as “relatively soon” but not specified.

The ordinance passed on a roll call vote with Councilman Boxhill, Councilwoman Gleeson, Councilman Poteet, Councilman Thompson and Council President Danielle Brown voting aye (5–0). The council did not provide a count of properties on the list during the meeting; that figure was described as part of the comptroller’s materials and not read into the record.

Council members asked the comptroller and finance staff to return with additional details about the number of properties, the timeline for publication and an explanation of protections and payment-plan options available to low-income or elderly homeowners. The council also asked whether an amnesty could lawfully be targeted to specific populations; the deputy corporation counsel said she would research that question.

The ordinance authorizing submission of the delinquent-tax list and procedures for tax-lien and in rem foreclosure proceedings will be followed by statutory publications and administrative steps before sales or foreclosures occur.