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Board to consider new property tax exemption; public hearing to be held Nov. 7

The Stillwater Central School District Board of Education is considering adopting a property tax exemption for eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, and residents may weigh in on the proposal during a Nov. 7 public hearing. 

If approved, the proposed resolution would permit residential property exemptions of 10% for eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers residing within the school district and who have served a minimum of five years. 

Implementing a tax exemption causes a redistribution of taxes among taxpayers, or a tax shift. Exemptions do not affect the tax levy, which is the total amount of money a district needs to raise from taxpayers. Therefore, if a town’s assessed value decreases due to exemptions, then all taxpayers would need to pay more to make up the difference. The tax rate per $1,000 of assessed value would increase for all taxpayers to generate the same amount of taxes (i.e., the tax levy).

The Board of Education welcomes feedback on this proposal, and will hold a public hearing on it at the beginning of its 6:30 p.m. regular meeting that will be held in the auditorium. 

Below is the resolution the Board will be considering.

RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING PROPERTY TAX EXEMPTION TO VOLUNTEER FIREFIGHTERS AND AMBULANCE WORKERS

Whereas, pursuant to Real Property Tax Law Section 466-a, the Board of Education of the Stillwater Central School District desires to offer a school tax exemption on the primary residence of eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers residing within the school district and who have served a minimum of five years; and \WHEREAS, a public hearing will be held on this matter on November 7, 2023; and posted for thirty days from October 4, 2023.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, the Board of Education hereby adopts the Property Tax Exemption for eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, permitting residential property exemptions of 10% for eligible volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers residing within the School District and who have served a minimum of five years.