Altmar-Parish-Williamstown CSD will see a revenue shift due to an expiring PILOT agreement with the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency.

Altmar-Parish-Williamstown currently holds a payment in lieu of tax (PILOT) agreement with Erie Boulevard Hydropower. A PILOT is an arrangement for financial assistance offered by the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency to encourage businesses to locate in Oswego County taxing jurisdictions. Under this financial arrangement, the company makes some fixed yearly contribution to a municipality (County and Town taxing authorities) and school system rather than paying property taxes based on tax assessments set by local tax assessors. The amount paid is typically lower than what the company would have paid if it was taxed according to the town assessor’s valuation or assessment of the parcel.

The PILOT agreement with Erie Boulevard Hydropower will expire December 31, 2020 and the last PILOT payment of $360,450 was made to the school district during the 2019-2020 school year. The PILOT agreement is designed by the county to have a smaller tax payment at the beginning of the term, leaving larger tax payments to the end of the agreement Once Erie Boulevard Hydropower’s PILOT agreement expires, the amount paid will move from the PILOT revenue to the tax levy revenue raised by the school district. This movement from PILOT to tax levy is a “shift” of the anticipated revenue categories that the school district uses to project in their budget development process.

The budget development process for the 2020-2021 school year is impacted by anticipated amounts for the PILOT and tax levy revenue categories. These revenue categories are components of the New York State Tax Cap calculation, which limits the school district’s ability to raise the tax levy. Thus, the shift from one revenue category to the other will impact the tax cap calculation, resulting in the tax levy portion looking significantly higher than it would have been had the amount remained as a PILOT. This revenue shift is permissible within the calculation and will only increase the tax levy for one tax paying entity –Erie Boulevard Hydropower. The amount of the increase is based on Erie Boulevard Hydropower’s tax assessment as set by the tax assessor for the Town of Orwell.

Additional PILOT approved by the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency

The district is projected to gain a new PILOT agreement with a solar company for the 2021-2022 school year. Abundant Solar Power LLC is a New York Limited Liability Company that has been given approval by the County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency to receive financial assistance in the form of a payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) with the County, Town of Albion, and the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown CSD. This land is currently owned by the Town of Richland, and is being leased to Abundant Solar Power. Abundant Solar Power is planning to build a 29.17 acre solar power electric generating photo-voltaic plant on the property. On January 17, 2020, officials from Abundant Solar Power indicated at a public hearing that construction is anticipated to be completed by March 2021. This means that the first PILOT bill would be sent to Abundant Solar Power in March 2022. The newly approved PILOT agreement will remove the parcel from the tax levy revenue category and move it to the PILOT revenue category for the school district.  This shift in categories is anticipated to impact the 2021-2022 school year budget.

For more information about the PILOTs and their impact to the Altmar-Parish-Williamstown CSD budget, please visit apwschools.org or call 315-625-5254.

What is a PILOT?

PILOTs are one of the main tools local industrial development agencies (IDAs) use to encourage businesses to locate in their jurisdictions.  Under such an agreement, a company makes some fixed yearly contribution to a municipality or school system rather than pay property taxes.  The amount paid is typically lower than what the company would have paid if it was taxed normally.

Heiser, Paul, Senior Research Analyst, “Under tax cap, PILOTs pose new financial perils.” www.NYSSBA.org, September 22, 2014, https://www.nyssba.org/news/2014/09/18/on-board-online-september-22-2014/under-tax-cap-pilots-pose-new-financial-perils/

Who negotiates the PILOT?

School officials and other local governmental officials have no role in negotiating the terms of the PILOTs.

Heiser, Paul, Senior Research Analyst, “Under tax cap, PILOTs pose new financial perils.” www.NYSSBA.org, September 22, 2014, https://www.nyssba.org/news/2014/09/18/on-board-online-september-22-2014/under-tax-cap-pilots-pose-new-financial-perils/

Who is the IDA?

The industrial development agency for our area is named the “County of Oswego Industrial Development Agency”.  The Board was established August 27, 2008 and the current Board of Directors include: Gary Toth, Chair, Tom Kells, Leonard Schick, Nick Canale, Barry Trimble, Morris Sorbello and Tim Stahl. The executive management of the IDA includes L. Michael Treadwell, Chief Executive Officer; Kevin LaMontagne, Chief Financial Officer; Barclay Damon LLP, Bond Counsel; Kevin Caraccioli, General Counsel. For more information visit: https://www.oswegocountyida.org/

All in Favor-Cast your vote for student success

Your local school board makes the decisions that determine how your community’s children are educated and how your tax dollars are spent. Voting for school board members is a simple but powerful way to support student success and strengthen your community.

THE POWER TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE

The decisions made by the school board affect virtually every important aspect of local schools, from boundaries to bus schedules, curriculum to clubs, funding to field trips.

• The school board hires the superintendent, the “chief education officer” responsible for managing district staff and operations.

• The school board sets the priorities and adopts the budget that determine how millions in federal, state and local tax dollars are spent.

• The school board sets goals for student achievement and evaluates progress toward those goals.

• The school board decides how school boundaries are drawn and whether schools are constructed or closed.

• The school board sets the policies that determine which courses and programs are offered and what texts, tools and technology are purchased.

• The school board, as the community’s elected representatives and fiscal stewards, ensures the district education program is in compliance with New York State laws and regulations.

Voting in school board elections means your voice is represented in those choices.

YOU HAVE EVERYTHING TO GAIN — OR LOSE

Everyone — not just parents — has a stake in the success of public schools. When schools are strong and students succeed, everyone benefits.

• Good schools are good business – they attract employers, strengthen the local economy and enhance property values.

• Good schools ensure our students will be prepared to keep our nation competitive in a global economy.

• Good schools keep the American Dream alive with an opportunity for every child to receive a world-class education.

• Good schools keep the quality of life in a community high by producing citizens who pay taxes and obey the law.

• Good schools teach students from all backgrounds how to live and participate in our democracy.

Voting in a school board election is an investment in the future of kids, of our community and of the nation.

THE RIGHT PERSON MAKES A DIFFERENCE

What qualities, skills, and experience should you look for in a school board candidate? Here are some questions to consider.

• What are the candidate’s vision and goals for high academic achievement for all students?

• Does the candidate inspire parents and other stakeholders to have confidence in the local public schools?

• Does the candidate understand that the school board’s role is about the big picture – setting the direction for the district, and providing oversight and accountability – rather than day-today management?

• Does the candidate focus on one issue or discuss a broad range of school district concerns?

• Does the candidate’s approach make it likely that he or she will be able to work effectively with the rest of the board to get things done?

• Will the candidate enhance the mix of skills and backgrounds on the board and help represent the diversity of the community?

• Does the candidate have the commitment to do what is right for all children, even in the face of opposition?

Every child enrolled in your school district is a reason for you to vote in school board elections. The overall quality of your local schools, both now and in the future, rests with decisions made by the board of education. You want the best and the brightest of your fellow citizens in charge.

FOR MORE INFORMATION

Local school board members in New York State are elected, except for those in New York City and Yonkers who are appointed. The method of election may vary from district to district. Check with your superintendent of schools or your district clerk to learn about the voting procedure in your district.

With limited exceptions, school board members serve three-, four- or five-year terms. Terms are staggered so all board positions are never open at the same time. By state law, school board and budget elections, in all districts except Albany and the Big 5, must be held on the third Tuesday in May.

For more information and resources on school boards, school board candidates and excellent public education, visit the Center for Public Education’s website at www.centerforpubliceducation.org/allinfavor or the National School Boards Association’s website at www.nsba.org.

New York State
School Boards Association
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