Property Tax Relief for First Responders
SYRACUSE, N.Y. – In January of 2023, County Executive McMahon was joined by members of the County Legislature at Marcellus Fire Station to announce legislation that would provide tax relief for volunteer firefighters or volunteer ambulance workers as a small token of appreciation for the heroic work they perf01m each day. The legislation called for a 10% property tax exemption on the assessed value of their prope1iy and required the applicant have 5 years of active service. The legislation was subsequently passed by the legislature at their February session.
After further consultation with our first responder community and members of the legislature, it was decided that the current requirement of 5 years of active service could and should be revised to 2 years. As a result, legislation will be advanced for consideration to the Ways and Means Committee to reduce the years of active service required from 5 to 2.
County Executive Ryan McMahon said, “We will never be able to sufficiently thank those in our community who step up and volunteer to be firefighters or ambulance workers. The work they do every day to keep us safe cannot be overstated and this legislation is just a very small way to show our appreciation.” McMahon continued, “I want to thank Legislator Knapp for sponsoring this legislation, as well as other members of the Legislature for their support. I look fo1ward to finding additional ways we can work together to help our volunteer first responders.”
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