Wheatfield considers tax break

by Susan Mikula Campbell
Niagara Wheatfield Tribune, April 3, 2008

Shown at last week’s press conference announcing Wheatfield’s assessment change, from left, are Town Attorney Robert O’Toole, Building Inspector Jennifer Caldwell, Assessor Brigette Grawe, Councilman Ken Retzlaff, Supervisor Tim Demler, Town Economic Development Co-Chairman John Petrozzi, Niagara County Builders Association President Jerry O’Neill, Wheatfield Business Association President Tom Stevenson and Town Clerk Kathy Harrington. (photo by Chuck and Donna Cederman)

If the Town Board approves at its April 14 meeting, Wheatfield residents will be able to make home improvements without facing an immediate increase in their assessments and taxes.

Build a new garage, shed, pool, addition, deck or make any home improvement up to a value of $80,000, and it would be exempt from assessment increase for eight years on a graduated program beginning retroactively from March 1.

“This program will save our homeowners on average of $4,600 in taxes, and hopefully spark the local business community with new sales, and through these new sales, protect Niagara County and Wheatfield jobs,” said Wheatfield Supervisor Tim Delmer in announcing the plan last week at Town Hall.

Article 421-F of state property tax law allows the town to make the change. The exemption percentage would range from 100 percent the first year to 12.5 percent the eighth year.

The plan won wholehearted approval of Niagara County Builders Association Executive Director Jerry O’Neill and Wheatfield Business Association President Tom Stevenson.

“I think it is going to open up doors to a lot of new renovation projects in the town,” said O’Neill, noting that both new home construction in the county and renovations have been slow in the last couple of years.

“The easiest way to create economic stimulus is having people have more money in their pockets,” said Stevenson, adding that a big drawback for people deciding to have work done on their homes is the realization that it will immediately affect their assessment and taxes.

Both Stevenson and O’Neill are hoping Wheatfield residents turn to their members for renovation projects. For their recommendations, go online at wbawheatfield.org or ncbuilders.com.