At its Monday, Jan. 8 meeting, the Fayetteville-Manlius Board of Education will hold its second public hearing on separate property tax exemptions for volunteer firefighters and volunteer ambulance workers, senior citizens, and military veterans.
The meeting, scheduled for 6 p.m. in the Eagle Hill Middle School auditorium, is open to the public and anyone may raise questions or concerns about the tax exemptions during the public hearing.
The board held its first public hearing on the tax exemptions at its Dec. 11 meeting.
In recent years, under New York State law, allowable exemptions that can be applied to school property tax bills have been expanded. A district’s board of education can elect to adopt these exemptions individually.
Unlike universal tax breaks such as School Tax Assessment Relief (STAR), the state does not reimburse school districts for the taxes first responders, senior citizens and veterans don’t pay. Instead, it causes a redistribution of taxes among taxpayers, or a tax shift. Exemptions do not affect the total amount of money a district needs to raise – the tax levy. Therefore, adopting an exemption could raise the tax bill for the remaining tax base in order to make up the difference.
During a presentation to the board at its Nov. 6 meeting, Assistant Superintendent for Business Services Brad Corbin shared the estimated financial impact of each exemption being considered.
The following estimates are based on income limits and percentages that are subject to change at the board’s discretion. The financial impacts are projections and may not reflect actual exemption data.
Senior Citizens Exemption
The exemption for senior citizens applies to individuals who are 65 years of age or older and meet income limitation requirements, as established by NYS, which correlate to an exemption percentage.
Estimated Financial Impact
Onondaga County estimates that the district’s tax base includes approximately 716 individuals who would qualify for the senior citizens exemption.
If the board were to adopt the senior citizens exemption, the tax rate impact is estimated to be approximately $39.94 on a $100,000 home.
It is estimated that approximately $1.3 million would be shifted to the remaining tax base.
Veteran’s Exemption
Subject to maximum levels of exemption set by the taxing jurisdiction, school districts are allowed to offer a 15% reduction in assessed value for veterans who served during a time of war, plus an additional 10% for those who served in combat zones. Veterans could also receive a reduction based on their service-connected disabilities.
Estimated Financial Impact
Onondaga County estimates that the district’s tax base includes approximately 1,120 veterans who would qualify for veteran’s exemptions.
If the board were to adopt the veteran’s exemption, the tax rate impact is estimated to be approximately $30.92 on a $100,000 home
It is estimated that approximately $1 million would be shifted to the remaining tax base.
Volunteer Fire and Rescue Exemption
School districts are allowed to offer a 10% reduction in assessed value for properties owned by an enrolled and certified member of an incorporated volunteer fire company, fire department or ambulance service with at least two years of service.
Estimated Financial Impact
Onondaga County estimates that the district’s tax base includes approximately 47 individuals who would qualify for the volunteer fire and rescue exemption.
If the board were to adopt the volunteer fire and rescue exemption, the tax rate impact is estimated to be approximately $0.80 on a $100,000 home.
It is estimated that approximately $27,000 would be shifted to the remaining tax base.
Following the Jan. 8 public hearing, should the board decide to move forward, the next step in the process would be for the board to vote on the adoption of each tax exemption. The board has until March 1, 2024 to decide whether or not to offer the exemptions for the 2024-25 school year.
Individuals who wish to attend the meeting are requested to pre-register by 4 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 8. Individuals who wish to speak during the evening’s public hearing portion of the meeting are required to pre-register by 4 p.m. Monday, Jan. 8.
The meeting will be livestreamed on the district’s official YouTube channel.
Upon registration, each individual will receive a confirmation email.