Please find attached a letter issued this afternoon to the Orange County Industrial Development Agency. Numerous municipal leaders, County Executive Neuhaus, Senator Martucci, and Senator Skoufis are urging the IDA to give taxing jurisdictions a more formal role in decision-making when PILOTs (Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreements) are on the table:
“…Moving forward, we insist on being treated the same way as the Rockland County IDA collaborates with its municipalities and school districts. The Rockland County IDA votes on whether to authorize “up to” a certain PILOT then leaves it to the taxing jurisdictions to negotiate the tax break – or refuse a PILOT. This cooperative approach has not stymied economic development in Rockland County all the while ensuring local leaders have a direct say in what is happening in their community.
In order for the Orange County IDA to maintain the confidence of its local leaders, it must adopt the same approach as is employed in Rockland. We and the taxpayers we represent deserve a formal seat at the table.”