Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Salary And Benefits topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board hears review of firefighter property-tax exemption and local impact estimates
Summary
Presenters outlined the 2022 firefighter/ambulance worker property-tax exemption (2–10% of assessed value), local household counts, and estimated modest per-household tax savings; the board may hold a public hearing in February before deciding whether to pass a resolution.
Tim (S9) briefed the board on a state-level option to extend a property-tax exemption to volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. He said the 2022 law allows a 2–10% exemption of assessed value (local implementations vary) and generally requires five years of local service; some legislative proposals discussed would allow firefighters who serve in a different community to qualify.
Tim provided local estimates: in Manchester there are 15 households that could qualify (one household with both members qualifying), and at a 10% exemption the exempted assessed value for Manchester was reported as $272,160 for 2024–25 valuations. In Shortsville he reported 13 houses (and four renters, who would not qualify); the Shortsville exempted value at 10% was reported as $238,400. Using current local rates, Tim estimated the annual property tax savings per qualifying household would range roughly from $21 at the low end to $54.20 at the high end.
Tim also described the state income-tax credit that currently exists ($200 for a qualifying single filer, $400 for a qualifying married couple) and noted proposed increases in some bills (presenters referenced proposals to raise the credit to $800/$1,600). He said some volunteers and advocates favor increasing the income tax credit because it delivers larger dollar benefits for many households than a modest local property exemption.
Tim told the board Ontario County recently acted on the exemption and that several nearby municipalities have considered it; he said the board will discuss whether to hold a local public hearing in February and whether to adopt a resolution thereafter. He warned that rules and benefit amounts have changed frequently and that eligibility, caps and administrative application requirements could alter local outcomes.
What’s next: The board will consider a public hearing in February and, if it decides to proceed, staff will prepare a resolution and outreach materials explaining eligibility and estimated local fiscal effects.
