POUGHKEEPSIE – Four years makes a difference. Dutchess County’s financial condition in 2013 caused legislators to reject a proposed county sales tax exemption for residential solar installations.
Monday night, the measure received unanimous approval during the legislature’s monthly meeting.
Environment Committee Chairman John Forman said now, it makes sense.
“We are in a much better financial position in 2017 than we were in 2013,” Forman said.
Democrat Joel Tyner joined the bipartisan chorus of support.
“It warms the cockles of my heart to see the bipartisan cooperation on this,” Tyner said. “We can join the ranks of Broome, Erie, Rockland, Suffolk, Thompson, Ulster and Westchester counties.”
If signed by County Executive Marcus Molinaro, the exemption kicks in next March 1.
The sales tax exemption, on the county tax only, is estimated to save taxpayers a total of $175,000 in 2018 with a five-year impact of roughly $1,015,000. The average annual sales tax revenue the county would be foregoing should even out to around $210,000 each year.
