The Oneonta Common Council unanimously passed a property tax exemption for seriously disabled veterans Tuesday, Sept. 1.
The vote opts the city into a state law allowing municipalities to offer the exemptions. Elected city officials have been discussing the measure for the better part of the year and have been supportive of the measure, but changes at the state level removed and readded the requirement for the city to opt into its provisions.
For a property to qualify for the exemption, a veteran must have the home as their primary residence and must be considered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs “to be permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service” as evidenced by a VA document stating as much, according to the council’s passed resolution.
“I think it’s great,” Mayor Dan Buttermann said of the legislation’s passage after the meeting.
“One, operationally, it’s going to save money for certain veterans in this community that need it,” he said. “Second, I think it shows that the Common Council very clearly supports having veterans in our community. We’re very lucky to have the Oneonta Veterans Outreach Center.”
The legislative action came in part as a result of advocacy by the Oneonta Veterans Outreach Center. Administrator Gary Flaherty has spoken in favor of the opt-in at multiple council meetings, as well as before the Oneonta Town Board.
Buttermann said that based on an initial estimate from Flaherty and City Assessor Hank Schecher, there would be “about 33 potential applicants” for the exemption. When asked whether that estimate came with a number for the total value of the potential tax exemptions, Buttermann said it did not.
City Administrator Greg Mattice and Schecher did not return a request for information on how much the tax exemptions could total by press time Tuesday.
The exemption “shall apply to assessment rolls based upon taxable status dates occurring on and after October 1, 2026,” the resolution stated.
The resolution designates the city assessor as responsible for determining eligibility for the exemption. Exemptions are not automatic; a potentially exempt homeowner must file for one.
Oneonta Veterans Outreach Center representatives have said they plan to assist eligible veterans with the process.