Law to lower property taxes for volunteer EMS personnel

POUGHKEEPSIE — Dutchess County Legislature Chair Gregg Pulver announced the introduction of a local law that will give a property tax exemption of 10% to volunteer firefighters and ambulance personnel.

The exemption, announced on Wednesday, Jan. 18,  applies to those who have served for at least three years and will be in effect for each year served after that. To take advantage of the exemption, members must live in the village, town or city in which the organization they serve is located. For those who have served for at least 20 years, the exemption will be in place for each person’s life as long as they live in Dutchess County.

The legislation comes on the heels of a bill signed by Gov. Kathy Hochul in December that gives local governments the option to provide the exemption.

“The state law that was passed asks every taxing entity to opt in,” said Pulver in an interview with The Millerton News. “Every town has the option on their own.”

Following a hearing at the full board meeting on Tuesday, Feb. 14, the local law will go into effect for the 2025 tax rolls.

As to how the discount will affect coffers, Pulver said: “We think that we can absorb it. We’ll put that into the budget. It doesn’t take effect until the 2025 tax year, so we’ll have plenty of time to see who applies and how it is affected.”

Millerton Mayor Jenn Najdek said the tax exemption is “potentially something we would consider for the village of Millerton,” and that “we definitely will take a look.”

Said Pine Plains Town Supervisor Brian Walsh, “We have started the process for the exemption to become a local law.”

Millbrook Mayor Tim Collopy said, “I brought this up at our last meeting. We’ll discuss it further. It wouldn’t have much of an impact on our tax base, but it could be an incentive for attracting volunteers to the department.”

Amenia Town Supervisor Victoria Perotti wrote in an email: “The Amenia Town Board discussed this at the Thursday January 19 meeting in addition to other exemptions. We will be working toward putting it in place at subsequent meetings.

Local assessor’s offices will coordinate the application process.