from the BCSD
The Berlin Central School District Board of Education is currently considering the adoption of a property tax exemption for certain military veterans living in the District. [private]State law now allows school districts to provide partial property tax exemptions to eligible veterans residing in the district. In order to do so, Boards of Education must first hold a public information session and then take affirmative action by Board resolution. Prior to this law, only towns, counties, villages and cities were able to offer veteran exemptions.
The Board of Education encourages all residents to attend one of the following public information sessions to learn more about how this exemption would affect veterans and non-veteran taxpayers and to make their opinions known to the Board.
Public Information Sessions
• Wednesday, January 21, at 7 pm at the Stephentown Fire Hall.
• Monday, January 26, at 7 pm at the Petersburgh Fire Station.
• Thursday, January 29, at 7 pm at the Berlin Fire Hall.
• Tuesday, February 3, at 7 pm at the Grafton VFW/Fire Hall.
The resolution deadline for a district to adopt the 2015-2016 tax levy is March 1, 2015. Therefore, the Board will make its decision at the February 24 meeting.
The Exemption Rates
If adopted, the Alternative Veterans’ Tax Exemption would be available on primary residences as a 15 percent reduction in assessed value to veterans who served during specific times of war, an additional 10 percent reduction in assessed value to veterans who served in combat zones and an additional reduction in assessed value for veterans who incur service related disabilities, equal to one half of their disability ratings. These benefits would be subject to maximum dollar limits set by the District.
The tax break our veterans would see would not be reimbursed by the State, therefore, property owners not eligible for the exemption would see an increase in their tax rates to cover the difference. The actual amount of tax rate increase would depend largely on what maximum dollar limits the District chooses to place on the exemption itself.[/private]