Committee amends and approves resolution to expand notice and explore aid for delinquent property taxpayers

Ulster County’s Housing & Transportation Committee on May 7 amended and approved Resolution 293, which requires enhanced notice to property taxpayers who are delinquent and directs the county to develop a proposal to help qualifying homeowners (originally focused on seniors) with property tax arrears.

Majority Leader (name not stated in the transcript) opened the discussion saying constituent stories prompted the proposal and that the amendment would expand the notice provision to "all qualifying people" rather than limiting it to seniors. "I am proposing that we do the same thing," the majority leader said of connecting eligible residents to existing legal services and potential funding sources.

Legislator Kovacs asked for a technical correction: the resolution title referenced the Real Property Law while the topic concerns the Real Property Tax Law; the committee agreed to amend the title to cite New York Real Property Tax Law section 1148. Kovacs and others also asked whether the county is already meeting state requirements; County Executive (addressing the committee) said his understanding is that the Department of Finance is in compliance but that operations and demographic limitations make the program easier to administer if broadened to all qualifying taxpayers.

Committee members discussed the two parts of the resolution: (1) ensuring statutory compliance and improved notice/outreach so taxpayers get connected with legal and social services, and (2) developing a program proposal to provide targeted funding or assistance for those facing tax foreclosure. The resolution requests a proposal back to the committee within about 60 days for how a program might work and who would be eligible.

The committee voted to amend and adopt the resolution; the transcript records voice votes ("Aye") and a chair announcement that the resolution carries. The meeting record does not include a full roll-call tally in the provided transcript.

Next steps: staff will prepare a draft proposal on a potential property-tax arrears program and include more detail on operational mechanics, eligibility criteria and funding sources for committee review.