MOUNT MORRIS, NY — If improvements to a business-district building exceed $10,000 and result in a combination of commercial and residential use, the property owner can apply for a partial tax exemption.

The tax relief is spread over a period of 12 years, during which the first eight years is 100 percent exemption.

After that, taxes are collected according to a schedule where the exemption decreases in each of the remaining four years.

“We’re trying to encourage property owners to fix up their properties and stabilize rents,” said Mayor Harold Long in support of the proposed law during a public hearing discussion at a village board meeting last week.

Long believes that without this incentive, property owners are reluctant to improve their properties because assessments would go higher, thus raising taxes.

In addition, the mayor said that good retail businesses will create sales tax and provide jobs.

The law passed 3 to 1, with Trustees Frank Provo and Joel Mike joining the mayor, while Trustee Bob Lonsberry cast a no vote.

In explaining his position, Lonsberry pointed out that the law gives downtown property owners an advantage not available to residential property owners outside of the business district.

“It’s not fair and equitable,” he remarked. “Furthermore, government doesn’t have a place in private enterprise.”

Tagged as: Village of Mount Morris