LITTLE VALLEY, N.Y. — It’s a new way of opposing unfunded mandates.
Cattaraugus County Legislator John Padlo, D-Olean, was sponsor of a resolution approved by county lawmakers that had a twist on prior resolutions simply opposing unfunded state mandates.
Padlo, a member of the County Operations/ Public Safety and Finance Committees, and vice chairman of the Development and Agriculture Committee, said bills in the Senate and Assembly would require state funding for any new mandates on local governments and school districts.
“This would mean (new) state mandated programs would be paid by the state,” Padlo told legislators, adding he felt it was “real important to send a message” to state officials.
County officials complained of unfunded mandates even before the state tax cap was enacted five years ago. Those complaints generally fell on deaf ears of the governor and state legislature.
Most county lawmakers asked to be included as co-sponsors to Padlo’s resolution
“We can’t tolerate this anymore,” Padlo said of being forced to pay for unfunded mandates.
The New York State Association of Counties has endorsed the Senate bill, S.2323, and the bill in the Assembly, A.2922, Padlo said.
County lawmakers also asked the state legislature to authorize a two-year extension of the county’s additional 1 percent sales tax, which generates about $10 million a year for county roads and bridges.
Sponsored by Legislature Chairman Paula Stockman, R-South Dayton, the request was approved by members of the Finance Committee before going to the full legislature.
Unlike the original 3 percent sales tax which the county shares with the cities, towns and villages, the additional 1 percent sales tax all goes to the county, which has mandated the funds be dedicated to roads and bridges.
Meanwhile, Daniel Martonis, director of the Office of Real Property Tax Services, updated legislators on the first year of the Cattaraugus County Land Bank Corporation.
Martonis said the county anticipates news soon on its application for $1 million in state funding over two years. The grant would help the county group fix or tear down houses blighted houses, clean up side lot issues and help communities fight blight, Martonis said.
A database on properties the Land Bank Corporation can focus on is being developed. Next month, Martonis said, the Land Bank will identify properties to acquire with input from local communities. He said the first property may be acquired between June and September. The decision will be made to either rehabilitate the structure or demolish it.
Over the next two years, Martonis said, the Land Bank anticipates acquiring 17 parcels, with 13 for rehabilitation/reconstruction and four for demolition. Another four side properties will be resolved as well, he said.
“Hopefully we’ll get the $1 million soon,” Martonis told legislators. Input will be sought from local communities, he said.
The Land Bank recently reached out to municipalities inviting them to submit their three worst blighted properties, Martonis said.
Local town, village and city officials have been invited to an information session on the Land Bank at 3 p.m. Tuesday at the Little Valley VFW Post 8734.
