Councilors Move Ahead With Streamling Property Disposition Policy

by Steve Yablonski | September 18, 2017 11:13 pm

OSWEGO – At Monday night’s Physical Services Committee, Third Ward Councilor Nathan Emmons requested consideration from the Common Council to approve a revision to Article V of Chapter 224 of the code of the city of Oswego.

Currently, it establishes the period of redemption of residential and farm property to expire four years after the lien date.

Emmons’ proposed local law would reduce the time down to two years.

At its September meeting, the Oswego County Legislature enacted legislation to reduce its redemption period for residential properties to two years, the councilor said.

The city and county have entered into an intermunicipal agreement whereby the county prosecutes all tax foreclosure actions on behalf of the city.

Reducing the city’s redemption rate makes it consistent with the county’s and provides for consistent application of the law between the city and county, he pointed out.

Currently, there are a number of city-owned parcels that could be disposed of and the new policy would streamline the process thereby allowing more tax-exempt, city-owned properties to be purchased by private individuals and allowing the parcels to return to the taxable assessment rolls of the city, the city attorney said at a recent committee meeting.

“Last year, the city received 16 foreclosed properties. This year, we’ll receive between eight and more than 10. There is a lot coming into our portfolio, so to speak,” Kevin Caraccioli, city attorney, told the committee. “There’s no sense to hold on to it. We want to get it back on the tax rolls.”

This procedure would streamline the process for the city; it reduces the process from three pages to two pages and from 19 steps to 15 steps.

The council is expected to schedule a public hearing on or about October 9 to entertain public opinion.

The local law would take effect upon filing with the Secretary of State.

Source URL: https://oswegocountytoday.com/news/oswego/councilors-move-ahead-with-streamling-property-disposition-policy/

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