photo Property Tax Relief
Fulton, Herkimer
and Otsego Counties


Assemblyman Marc Butler
Assemblyman Marc Butler is Helping to Provide Property Tax Relief for Fulton, Herkimer and Otsego Counties

Real property taxes are the oldest and most important source of revenue for local governments in New York state. In use for more than 200 years, property taxes generate more than two-thirds of all local tax dollars.

Originally used as a source of revenue for cities, towns, villages and counties, property tax allocations have grown to serve the needs of school and special districts. School districts are the principal beneficiaries of property tax revenue. According to the state Office of Real Property Services, school districts receive about 61 percent of property tax revenue. Counties use nearly 18 percent, and the remaining 21 percent is shared by cities, towns, villages and special districts.


School Tax, Medicaid and Family Health Plus Relief for Fulton, Herkimer and
Otsego County Property Taxpayers

SCHOOL TAX RELIEF

The School Tax Relief (STAR) Program has provided Fulton, Herkimer and Otsego County residents with much-needed school property tax relief since its 1997 inception.

  • Property owners in the 117th Assembly District last year saved an estimated $30 million in school property taxes under STAR.

  • The program continues to grow, providing an estimated savings of $31 million for Fulton, Herkimer and Otsego County property taxpayers in 2005-06.

  • Enhanced STAR Program funding was increased to provide tax relief for more senior citizens.


MEDICAID SAVINGS

  • The 2005-06 budget capped Fulton, Herkimer and Otsego County shares of Medicaid expenses based on their 2005 expenditures.

    Accumulated county government savings from the state Medicaid cap for the state fiscal years 2005-06 to 2009-10:

    FULTON $21,179,000
    HERKIMER $17,323,000
    OTSEGO $11,049,000

  • The total estimated five-year savings for local property taxpayers resulting from the Medicaid cap is more than $49.5 million.

  • The caps mean counties will no longer have to deal with runaway Medicaid expenses.


FAMILY HEALTH PLUS SAVINGS

  • The 2005-06 budget provides immediate relief by accelerating the state takeover of the Family Health Plus health care program, from January 2006 to October 2005.

    Accumulated county savings resulting from the state takeover of Family Health Plus for the fiscal years 2004-05 to 2009-10:

    FULTON $8,994,027
    HERKIMER $9,490,737
    OTSEGO $6,691,892

  • The total estimated five-year savings for local property taxpayers resulting from the state takeover of Family Health Plus is more than $25 million.


Assemblyman
MARC BUTLER

235 North Prospect Street • Suite 101 • Herkimer, NY 13350 • (315) 866-1632
318 Legislative Office Building • Albany, NY 12248 • (518) 455-5393

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