Saratoga County panel approves canceling Waterford tax bills, advances senior exemption change to public hearing

The Saratoga County Real Property Tax Committee on Feb. 4 appointed Supervisor Michael Jmarte of the Town of Greenfield as vice chair, approved a resolution to cancel tax bills in the Town of Waterford, advanced a preliminary local law to expand the county's real property tax exemption for residents 65 and older to a public hearing, and received the auditor's quarterly refunds and corrections report.

Staff member Anna presented the Waterford item and said the parcel in question was sold in December 2023 to the New York State Canal System but the assessor did not reclassify it to rural section 8. "This resolution will cancel taxes in the town of Waterford," Anna said, adding that because New York State is tax-exempt the county cannot collect the levy. When a committee member asked whether the county's accounting would be adjusted, Anna said, "That will be all taken care of in the county treasurer's office." The committee moved to approve the resolution and the motion carried.

On the local law affecting seniors, Chair introduced "Introductory Number 1 (Print Number 1 of 2026)" to amend the county's existing local law on exemptions for persons 65 years of age or older. Anna said a public hearing is scheduled next week and explained the change implements a new New York State formula: "if somebody makes less than 27,000, they will get a 65% reduction on their assessment," she said. Staff said, if the Board of Supervisors adopts the local law after the public hearing, the change would take effect for the 2027 tax bills. Committee members asked whether income limits would be changed this year; staff said limits were not adjusted now because of timing and that any change to limits could be considered next year. Members also discussed whether school districts had adopted the state change and noted towns typically follow county action.

Julie Bosch of the auditor's office gave the quarterly refunds and corrections report for 2025: during the fourth quarter the office approved two refunds totaling $428.26; for the full year the office processed $11,567.81 in corrections and $9,833.74 in refunds.

The committee approved the minutes of its Dec. 3, 2025 meeting, confirmed the vice chair appointment, and adjourned after routine closing procedures. The local law will proceed to a public hearing next week before any final vote by the Board of Supervisors.