committee on  legislation

minutes – JUNE 19, 2000

 

 

members:       Stewart-Cousins (Chair), Ryan, Abinanti, Mosiello, Bronz, Oros, Maisano, Latimer

 

staff:               Adenekan, Bass

 

GUEST:              Liz Salvi, (Cty Atty), David Spector (Cty.Atty.),

William Randolph,(CE) Lodon Norman,(CEO)   R.Allen Elliot(DOFT), Josette Polzelle(T/0ssining)

Linda Cooper (Yorktown/WMOA), Bob Killeen (Yorktown Assessor’s Assn.) Robert Spolzino (Consultant)

 

GUEST PRESENTERS:

                            Dr. Norm Jacknis,(CIO) Stacey Dolgin-Kmetz(Cty. Atty.)

 

The Chair called the meeting to order at 2:15 p.m.

 

The Chair introduced Dr. Jacknis and Ms. Dolgin-Kmetz and

informed the members that they were here to discuss the Computer

Access Program.

 

Dr. Jacknis stated the plan is to make some worthwhile use of

surplus County computers and computer equipment.  He stated that

legislation has been re-drafted to provide the Chief Information

0fficer with the power to sell, lease, or dispose of surplus, obsolete or

unusable County computers and computer equipment.

 

After much discussion, Legislator Latimer moved to request the

County Attorney’s opinion on why this legislation should be enforced;

schedule a meeting with the Purchasing Agent and vote legislation

out for a Public Hearing only.  Seconded by Legislator Maisano.  Vote

7-0. (1 oppose -Legislator Mosiello)

 

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

MINUTES -  JUNE 19, 2000

Page 2

 

The Chair introduced Supervisor Linda Cooper, President, Westchester Municipal 0fficials Association, Ms. Josette Polzella and Mr. Robert Killeen, Westchester County Assesor’s Association to address the committee on Westchester and Revaluation.

 

Supervisor Cooper gave each member handouts that entailed Assessment Fundamentals, Potential Dollars, 0rganizational Support, Individual Support, Status of Community Buy-In, Statewide Mandatory Revaluation.  (a copy is on file)

 

Supervisor Cooper stated that Westchester County has many local assessment rolls that are out of kilter with each other and with market value.  She also stated that 80% of NYS communities have undergone a revaluation during the past few years, including Albany, Buffalo, Rochester and Syracuse.  Westchester County is one of the last counties in the State to have extraordinarily outdated assessment/tax rolls.

 

Ms. Polzella and Mr. Killeen discussed the reval facts;

·        all taxing districts are losing needless tax dollars each year to certiorari

·        Without reval – certiorari reign

·        Under-assessed parcels represent taxes never to be recovered by the tax district

·        Co-ops are not harmed through reval; they are protected under existing state law; they are valued as commercial properties and not taxed as an amenity property

·        Condominiums will pay a more equitable share

·        With revaluation across the entire county, equalization rates will stabilize

·        Seniors are cushioned because of Star and the 467 senior citizen exemption

·        Businesses are unharmed by revaluing under the current law

 

COMMITTEE ON LEGISLATION

MINUTES – JUNE 19, 2000

Page 3

 

After much discussion, Supervisor Cooper requested the Legislation Committee to commit to the concept of revaluation through an inter-municipal agreement.  Recommend to the Budget Committee for funding of county share or reval.  Support statewide effort with a Home Rule message to the State Legislature and support funding participation by local, county, state and school districts.

 

Legislator Stewart-Cousins thanked the guest for their presentation.

 

Legislator Ryan made a motion to adjourn.  Seconded by Legislator Maisano.  All in favor 7-0.

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:55p.m.

 

(On file, copy given to each member, February 10, 2000 Westchester Municipal 0fficials Association Resolution regarding participation in a County-wide Revaluation of Property Assessments.)