Write a commentOn October 21, City of Oswego Assessor Kevin Hill spoke during the public session of the regular meeting of the Oswego City School District (OCSD) Board of Education, seeking the Board’s consideration for adopting a resolution recognizing New York State authorized veteran exemptions in the calculation of school property tax liability for OCSD taxpayers.
Currently, veteran exemptions are recognized by the County of Oswego, the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as all towns and villages in the county. None of the school districts in Oswego County currently recognize veteran exemptions when calculating school property tax liability.
In September of this year, Assessor Hill mailed a newsletter to over 3,500 owner-occupied homes in the City of Oswego, providing assessment updates, as well as information on the most common property tax exemptions available to homeowners. Hill said, “The response to the newsletter was overwhelming, particularly from veterans in our community, who were unaware that their service and sacrifice could be recognized through a property tax exemption.”
There are currently three different property tax exemptions available to veterans who own real property: the Alternative Veterans Exemption, available to veterans who served during a period of war or who have received an expeditionary medal; the Cold War Veterans Exemption, available to veterans who served during the Cold War period; and the Eligible Funds Exemption, available to veterans and certain persons who purchased their home with military pension, bonus, or insurance monies, referred to as “eligible funds.” New York State Real Property Tax Law provides that any county, city, town, school district, or village may elect to offer one or more of these veteran exemptions by adopting a local resolution.
Assessor Hill said, “While explaining the benefits to our veterans, I received many questions, but the question I received most, was why doesn’t the Oswego City School District honor my military service? After hearing this question over and over again, I felt it was important to bring this matter to the Board of Education for their consideration, with the sincere hope that the school district will follow the direction of our county, cities, towns and villages.” Hill continued, “We have an obligation to honor our veterans and providing some relief on their school tax bills demonstrates that we acknowledge and appreciate their service.”
During the meeting, Assessor Hill provided the Board with general information on the types of available veteran exemptions, eligibility, and procedures for applying, with the exemptions being administered entirely through each municipality’s Assessor’s Office. Hill also provided the Board with impact estimates of the cost of recognizing veteran exemptions on the OCSD tax rate to City of Oswego taxpayers, which ranged from an additional $0.14 to as little as $0.07 per thousand dollars of taxable assessed value, which Hill concluded, “is a small price to pay for their sacrifice.”
I commend City Assessor Kevin Hill for his thoughtful advocacy and for bringing forward a matter that resonates deeply with our community. Our veterans have served with honor and selflessness, and it is our duty as public servants to ensure their sacrifices are acknowledged in every facet of civic life. The fact that every municipality in Oswego County already recognizes these exemptions underscores the fairness and feasibility of extending this recognition to the school tax portion, said Mayor Rob Corradino.
I urge the Oswego City School District Board of Education to give this proposal the serious consideration it deserves. As Mayor, I stand in full support of this initiative and remain committed to policies that reflect our community’s gratitude and respect for those who have served.
