Oswego County Legislators Discuss Renewable Energy, Tax Exempt Status

OSWEGO – Renewable energy from wind and solar farms was the main topic of discussion during the Oswego County legislative meeting, Thursday, February 11. Concerns about incoming renewable energy farms included the tax status businesses will hold.

Currently, the county provides a tax exempt status under Real Property Tax Law 487 for residences, small businesses, and agriculture. The legislature would like the current tax exempt aspect to remain in place while having the ability to consider taxing larger incoming wind and solar farms on a case by case basis.

At this time, the legislature is not opting out of the automatic RPTL 487 rule altogether. The present law keeps track of electric-generating businesses within the county for tax roll purposes. The county has received requests from developers to enter into agreements allowable under the RPTL 487(9)(a).

The county requires a tax agreement with the County Attorney’s Office under RPTL 487 exemption for all solar and wind projects over one megawatt and under five megawatts in size. The county is proposing anything generating over five megawatts to be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The legislature recognizes the importance of renewable energy projects within the county and joins in the desire to attract new business, while allowing the continued tax exempt status for residences, small businesses, and agriculture to continue as currently designed. The resolution passed by a margin of 21-3.

Other items on the agenda are as follows:

Public Safety Committee:

• Awarding Professional Services Contract RFP20-Probation – Oswego County Respite Program.
• Lease Agreement regarding the Orwell County Route 2 tower site with Cingular Wireless.
• Lease Agreement with Verizon Wireless.
• Lease Agreement with Verizon Wireless.

Human Services Committee:

• Agreement with Serving Seniors Inc. – Alzheimer’s Respite, Companion Care.
• Budget modification – Department of Social Services.
• Appointing members to the Community Services Board.
• Budget modification to Department of Social Services – Adult Services, Automotive Supplies and Repairs.

Economic Development And Planning Committee:

• Resolution encouraging FCC to accurately map broadband availability.
• Budget modification CP #94 Department of Community Development.
• Budget modification CP#95 Department of Community Development – Mobility Management.
• Resolution for Public Hearing on landholder inclusion within agricultural districts.

Health Committee:

• Budget modification Health Department – Reclassification – Senior Public Health Nurse in Preventative Services Division.

Infrastructure, Facilities And Technology Committee:

• Budget Modification – Solid Waste.
• Budget modification – Insurance Recovery fund to highway, street equipment.
• Increase authorization for Capital Project No. C0420.

Finance and Personnel Committee:

• Budget modification Human Resource Department.
• Budget modification COVID Response.

Motions to Approve (Infrastructure, Facilities And Technology):

• BID #1 – Sign Posts Extensions.
• BID #2 – Timber sales.
• BID #3 – Boiler Tube Replacement.

All county legislative meetings are held the second Thursday of every month. The next meeting will be held on March 11 at 2 p.m.

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