Supervisors Oppose City Acquisition Proposal - Sales Tax Sharing Discussion Continues

Delaware County Supervisors meet on Jan. 22.

By Mary A. Crisafulli

DELHI - Following a lengthy executive session, Delaware County Supervisors passed a resolution opposing a proposal regarding land acquisition from New York City. Davenport Supervisor Tim Kelso was absent following the executive session.

"This (the resolution) will make our position loud and clear," said Supervisor Chair Tina Molè, nodding off to Planning and Watershed Director Shelly Johnson-Bennett.

Negotiations regarding the City's Filtration Avoidance Determination and water quality programming in the Watershed are in the final stages. Supervisors have been explicit that City land acquisition in priority areas 3 and 4 should be eliminated. Priority areas 3 and 4 encompass the towns of Windham, Ashland, Lexington, Prattsville, Jewett, Olive, Shandaken, Conesville, Gilboa, Roxbury, Middletown, Andes, Bovina, Stamford, Kortright, Tompkins, Harpersfield, Walton, and Delhi. The City agreed to eliminate acquisition in these areas in October 2024. At the time, a press release from the County stated, "This significant change in policy is a result of years of work that provides for scientifically based programming that has more profound and direct benefit to water quality than land acquisition."

Within the new agreement, a proposal remains to permit town-initiated City acquisition in priority areas 3 and 4. After roughly two months of consideration, the supervisors unanimously rejected the proposal. The resolution outlines three reasons for opposition - the exception opens the door for continued large parcel acquisition, it provides means for land owners to put undue pressure on local officials with the potential to create "havoc, bad feelings, and lawsuits, and there are plenty of other land preservation programs available to municipalities.

In another discussion, Walton Supervisor Joseph Cetta reported continued discussion by the Finance Committee regarding the requested sales tax sharing with towns and villages.

Mayors of the 14 villages have asked the county to share 12% of the revenue equaling roughly $3,600,000. Supervisors denied the request for the 2025 budget, but the discussion is ongoing.

Cetta presented a chart outlining estimates of what each municipality would receive based on population size. The largest town, Sidney, is estimated to receive about $134,000 with its village receiving $314,000. Davenport, with 2955 residents, has the highest estimated amount for towns at $240,092. Deposit is estimated to receive the lowest amount for towns at $47,536. Villages go from Sidney at the highest with others in a range of $250,000 and the lower end at $30,000.

"It's been very clear over the last couple of months that I have been in favor of sharing in one way or another," said Cetta, "Maybe we don't give them what they asked for, but is there a balance in between? What can the County afford to give them, if anything." Cetta explained that more information is necessary before making a final decision.

Alternatively, Hamden Supervisor Wayne Marshfield has presented the committee with numbers if divided by assessed value including tax-exempt properties.

The committee is expected to meet with Mayors for a continued discussion at the next regularly scheduled meeting in February.

Supervisors proposed legislation requiring short-term rental operators to pay higher occupancy taxes. The current local law expires in February, and the proposal extends the regulations outlined in 2022. A public hearing is set for Wednesday, Feb. 26, at 1 p.m. before the regularly scheduled meeting at the Delaware County Office building at 111 Main Street, Delhi.

Supervisors also discussed the 2024 funds spent on inpatient psychiatric hospital stays of inmates deemed incapacitated to meaningfully participate in criminal defense proceedings. The program assists individuals in becoming familiar with the jurisdiction process.

Cetta reported a cost of $327,557 for one year of inpatient services. He explained the costs accrued were for two individuals for 72 days and 174 days. Both patients are still in the hospital and it is anticipated an additional individual will require services in 2025. "It is a significant undue burden on the county," said Cetta, as the State once shared 50 percent of the costs.

Delhi Supervisor Maya Boukai noted there is no limit to how long the patients will be hospitalized. "There's no limits so we are just continuing to pay while we hope that they become competent to stand trial," she said.

The next regularly scheduled Board of Supervisors meeting is Wednesday, Feb. 26 at 1 p.m.