JOHNSTOWN — The Fulton County Board of Supervisors recently agreed to the county assisting two legal defense cases involving assessment challenges in the Glove Cities. One of the two involves a proposed $25 million reduction in the Walmart Distribution Center’s assessment.
Gloversville 5th Ward Supervisor Gregory Young said it is “frustrating” when other businesses and county residents pay their taxes while other large entities fight in court to have their assessments lowered.
The board passed a resolution to approve the legal defense from a Walmart real property assessment challenge in the city of Gloversville. County Attorney Jason Brott was authorized to pay the county’s portion of the defense in the amount of $3,556. The board in 2017 authorized county participation in legal defense of certain assessment reduction actions in the town of Broadalbin, and the cities of Gloversville and Johnstown.
Supervisors said a settlement was reached between all parties regarding the Walmart assessment challenge in Gloversville.
In a separate resolution, the board authorized county participation in the legal defense of assessment reductions actions in the city of Johnstown.
The two assessment cases are: proposed lowering of assessment from $40.2 million to $15.3 million for the Walmart Distribution Center property at 300 Enterprise Road in the Johnstown Industrial Park; and a proposed reduction from $7.4 million to $2.6 million for business property at 209 N. Comrie Ave.
In other board action:
∫ Supervisors approved a resolution establishing a Capital Reserve Fund for Fulton County Sewer District No. 3 in Meco.
∫ The board accepted a $5,900 2020-21 New York State Child Passenger Safety Incentive Grant through the county Public Health Department to promote child passenger safety. The board also accepted a $48,665 2019-20 Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention Grant from the state Department of Health.
∫ Supervisors authorized the use of $40,725 in federal Families First Grant funding for use in the Office for Aging. The board also accepted $6,785 in State Health Foundation Grant funds for COVID-19 emergency response efforts.
∫ A resolution was approved accepting $12,140 from a 2020 state Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services Grant. The board also accepted state Homeland and Security Program Grant funds and state Law Enforcement Terrorism Prevention Program funds and authorizing $60,857 in purchases.
∫ The board awarded a $37,711 bid to Laminated Concepts Inc. of Big Flats. The bid is for timber decking materials for replacement of the North Bush Road Bridge over Peck Creek as part of the 2020 Capital Plan.
∫ Supervisors reappropriated $14,500 in fund balance to pay for a software maintenance charge through the state Office of Real Property Tax Services Agency.
Michael Anich covers Johnstown and Fulton County news. He can be reached at manich@leaderherald.com.
Published by The Leader-Herald
