Proposed law would offer 10% tax exemption to Monroe Co. volunteer first responders - 13WHAM-TV

Monroe County, N.Y. — Monroe County legislators want to pass a law that would offer up to a 10% exemption on property taxes for volunteer fire department and ambulance service members.

County legislators Paul Dondorfer (R) and John Baynes (D) are leading the bipartisan effort to give back to the volunteers that ultimately save municipalities money.

"In a time where everyone is looking for workers and these people are volunteering their time, I think it is important for us to give back to them in any way we have the ability to do so," Dondorfer said.

The legislators also hope this incentive could recruit and retain more volunteers to the understaffed departments.

"If we don’t do something to keep them recruit and retain, we are going to lose them and we are going to regret it on so many levels, financial social etc.," Baynes said.

The legislation has already been passed by the state. Now it needs approval by the Monroe County Legislature. The legislation is scheduled for public discussion on February 8.

Volunteers would be eligible for the exemption after two years of service. Those with 20 years of service could receive the tax exemption for life.

If the law passes at the county level, Dondorfer and Baynes hope towns, villages, school districts and other taxing districts will consider their own exemptions to give the volunteers a total 10% exemption.

The Town of Perinton is already looking to pass its own property tax exemption for its volunteer first responders. The Perinton Town Board will discuss the legislation in a public hearing on January 26.

"I think it is a terrific opportunity to show our volunteer first responders we appreciate what they do," said Town Supervisor Ciaran Hanna.

Perinton relies heavily on its five volunteer fire departments including Bushnell's Basin where Fire Chief Richard Tantalo said they could use more volunteers.

"As people come and go from volunteer fire service it does become a challenge. Having more people always helps fill more rolls and keep people coming to calls which is most important," Tantalo said.

Bushnell's Basin Fire Association President William Morris works to recruit members to the fire department and is hopeful a law like this could make that job easier.

"The more people we get involved the easier it is for everybody but having something like this is powerful. It is powerful to say you can get an exemption on your property taxes we can say we have a concrete example of something that is incentive for you," Morris said.

For more information on becoming a volunteer at Bushnell's Basin Fire Department, click here. Residents in other communities can contact their local volunteer fire department for details.

source: https://13wham.com/news/local/proposed-law-would-offer-10-tax-exemption-to-monroe-co-volunteer-first-responders

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