Bill > A05060

This bill provides a partial real property tax exemption for the City of Newburgh's water filtration plant located in Orange County, New York, in response to a complex environmental contamination issue. In 2014, the city's primary water source (Lake Washington) was found to contain Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), a group of harmful chemical compounds, which originated from firefighting foam used at a nearby Air National Guard Base. To address the contamination, the city was forced to construct a granular activated carbon (GAC) treatment facility to remove PFAS, which resulted in a significant increase in the property's assessed value and subsequent tax burden. The bill allows the City of Newburgh to receive a tax exemption equivalent to the increase in property assessment directly attributable to the GAC system's construction. As a condition of receiving this exemption, the city must withdraw all ongoing tax certiorari (legal proceedings challenging property tax assessments) against the town of New Windsor, the Newburgh Enlarged City School District, and the Cornwall Central School District. The local taxing authorities are required to adjust their tax rolls, provide refunds for taxes paid, and cancel any remaining unpaid taxes, fines, or liens related to the increased assessment. The legislation aims to provide financial relief to the city for addressing an environmental challenge that was not of its own making.

Budget and Finance

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A5060