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On behalf of the Tompkins County Legislature, County Administrator Joe Mareane announced Monday that New York State has accepted a revised countywide Government Efficiency Report, enabling homeowners within the County to receive a State "tax freeze" rebate check equal to the increase in their 2016 County tax bill.  The owner of a $170,000 median-valued home in Tompkins County should see a rebate of approximately $12.39.

In addition, homeowners in municipalities in Tompkins County that stayed within their 2016 property tax cap will receive a State rebate for the increase in their village, town, or City property taxes.

Under the State's property tax freeze program, most homeowners are eligible for a rebate of their 2016 property tax increase if their local government and school district stayed within their property tax caps and submitted a "Government Efficiency Plan" showing sustained future savings of at least 1% of their tax levy beginning in 2017.

Earlier this year, Tompkins County submitted a Government Efficiency Plan on behalf of all local governments within the County, showing health care savings that were nearly double the State's savings target.  The State did not accept the plan, but has been working with the County on a revised submission that includes potential savings resulting from a pending study of law enforcement consolidation or shared services.  Last Thursday, the State advised the County that the plan had been accepted.

Mareane expressed appreciation for the positive and constructive approach taken by State Budget officials.  "The State could have easily dismissed our request for additional discussion, but instead spent a great deal of time working with us to perfect our plan," he said.  He also credited Legislature Chair Mike Lane for suggesting the County make the State aware of ongoing shared service initiatives, such as the upcoming study of law enforcement, which helped to engage the State.  He also praised the City for working closely with the County on the resubmission.

Tompkins was one of a few counties in the State that submitted a plan on behalf of all municipalities, making the State's acceptance of the revised Plan applicable to the City as well as all towns and villages within the County.  Reflecting an unusually low 2016 tax cap that was in many cases less than 1%, several towns and villages were not able to stay within their cap.

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