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Residents urge Sullivan County lawmakers to revisit volunteer firefighter tax credit; legislators discuss state-level changes
Summary
Public commenters asked Sullivan County legislators to pursue expanded tax relief for volunteer firefighters and first responders, citing limits of the current $200 New York State refundable tax credit and the complexity of local property-tax exemptions.
Several residents urged the Sullivan County Legislature to reconsider measures to expand property-tax relief for volunteer firefighters and first responders, including county-level tax exemptions and changes to the state refundable tax credit.
Alexander Portugal, identifying himself as from Antisalo, asked the legislature to investigate creating a local property-tax credit for first responders; he described differences between the New York State refundable tax credit (currently $200) and the option for local taxing jurisdictions to grant a partial property-tax exemption (often described as a 10 percent local credit). He and other speakers said local taxes have risen, and that a larger credit could better reflect current property-tax bills.
A resident who identified only as Jaime, a volunteer firefighter for more than 12 years, urged legislators to revisit the exemption and noted many volunteers are young and do not own homes, which complicates eligibility for property-based credits.
Legislators responded that the county previously held public hearings on the exemption in 2022 or 2023 but did not adopt a countywide exemption at that time. A committee presenter explained that the New York State Association of Counties is encouraging changes to state law that would (1) allow recipients to receive both the state refundable credit and local exemption, and (2) increase the state refundable credit (a proposal mentioned at the meeting would raise the credit from $200 to a higher amount under discussion). Presenters noted current program limitations: the state refundable credit is more administratively accessible for individuals, whereas securing a local exemption requires passage by multiple local taxing jurisdictions to take effect for a given volunteer.
No formal resolution was introduced during the meeting; legislators said they would gather additional information at upcoming NYSAC meetings and follow up on eligibility questions and potential legislative language. One legislator asked residents to remain in contact and said the county will monitor state-level proposals that could change the structure or amount of the tax credit.
