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County adopts state-aligned changes to exemptions for survivors and seniors
Summary
Steuben County approved local-law amendments to align with new state provisions expanding survivor exemptions for first responders and allowing a higher sliding-scale senior exemption (up to 65%). Staff said roughly 1,400 parcels were reviewed and about 1,200 would likely move into higher-exemption brackets.
The legislature approved a set of local-law updates to align county exemptions with recent state legislation. Real property tax staff described two primary changes: an amendment to the volunteer fire and ambulance worker exemption (which includes a surviving-spouse provision) and a modification to the senior citizen exemption sliding scale that allows percentages up to 65% in certain income bands.
On the senior sliding scale, staff said the county reviewed roughly 1,400 parcels and estimated that about 1,200 parcels would transition into higher-exemption brackets while around 200 would remain at current levels. Committee members asked about town and township implementation and were told the state did not set a local deadline; adoption by individual townships is optional. The committee approved the updates by voice vote.
