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Batavia Council gets behind tax exemption for home improvements

By Howard B. Owens

With unanimous conscent Monday night, the Batavia City Council agreed to move forward with a plan to provide some tax relief to homeowners who undertake renovations.

In September there will likely be a public hearing on the plan, which will provide a tax credit over an eight-year period on the increased assessed value caused by improvements.

"This is important because, even if you do improvements, the value doesn’t necessarily change, but if the value does change because of that improvement, you can get an exemption on the increase of the assessment," City Manager Jason Molino said.

The exemption is possible by state law, which allows for a municipal government to institute the tax credit. The credit can be spread over eight years, with no tax on the increased assessed value, and 12.5 percent of tax on the increase being added each year.

The homeowner must make at least a $3,000 improvement, and the assessor must find that the improvement, not some other factor, caused the increased assessment. 

"I think this is long over due," Councilman Bill Cox said. "I think it will encourage people to improve their homes and it’s a sign that the City Council wants to encourage people to improve their neighborhoods."

Councilman Frank Ferrando also spoke in favor of the tax exemption.

"I like the idea that it’s the community investing in itself," Ferrando said.

Julie A Pappalardo

WOW!!! Does anyone know if this tax credit is going to be for ALL homeowners or just owner/occupied property??

I'm hopefull this this is for ALL of us!

If it is only for owner/occupied property this will do nothing to improve the City. Keep in mind that they need to include the landlords because of over half of the property oin 14020 being rentals.

Geez! If this goes down: GREAT JOB!!

FINALLY someone is getting a clue!!

Jul 13, 2010, 10:13am Permalink
Mark Potwora

This is a great idea...Glad to see they are finally getting it..But if they are giving tax breaks only to those who improve their property,how are they going to make up the difference in taxes collected to run the city..Will they just raise rates on all...Are they going to cut the city budget..Where is the money coming from..

Jul 13, 2010, 10:33am Permalink
Duane Preston

If this program is run like any of the other state programs, it will not apply to landords. Look at the star program a school tax reduction program, or the home buyer programs -an income tax reduction program. They are for owner occupied homes and do not apply to landlords.

Hope im wrong...

Jul 13, 2010, 3:23pm Permalink

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