|
RCBJ-Audible (Listen For Free)
 |
Orange County Leaders Want More Control Over IDA’s PILOTS; Urge IDA Board To Follow Rockland County’s Lead
A consortium of Orange County town supervisors and village mayors, along with New York State Senator James Skoufis is urging the Orange County Industrial Agency (IDA) in a letter to give taxing jurisdictions a more formal role in decision-making when PILOTS (Payment in Lieu of Taxes agreements) are part of the equation.
The letter suggests that Rockland County does it the right way.
“Moving forward, we insist on being treated the same way as the Rockland County IDA collaborates with its municipalities and school districts,” says the letter written to Orange County IDA’s board of directors.
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, while ensuring local leaders have a direct say in what is happening in their community.”
The signers are dismayed that Orange County’s IDA precludes their input from decision that have a significant impact on the tax base, revenue, and budgets.
With no vote and no role in negotiations, “We are left to simply write a letter or share comments at a public hearing that can and oftentimes are disregarded,” they write.
Rockland County Seeking Firm To Handle Public Relations For Tourism
Rockland County plans to hire a firm to promote tourism to the “Gateway to the Hudson Valley” region. The County has issued a Request For Proposal (RFP) seeking to hire a firm to promote tourism. Bids are due Sept. 15 at 3 pm.
Tourism is a growing component of the county’s economy; the average Rockland County household would have had to pay an additional $422 were it not for revenue raised through tourism dollars.
The county is seeking to promote its natural, cultural, and historic assets via campaigns to attract domestic and international travelers. Bringing visitors to the county not only benefits hotels, restaurants, shops, breweries, attractions, historical sites, and other features, it has the potential to positively impact educational institutions and real estate.
The length of the contract will be for one year, with four one-year options to renew.
Trades and Crafts Volunteers Needed for Repair Café Volunteers Needed Saturday October 22, 10 -1
Volunteer Repair Coaches are needed for the 2022 Fall Repair Café scheduled for Saturday October 22 at Haverstraw Center in the Village of Haverstraw.
Repair Café is a community event where people can bring broken household items to be repaired for free by volunteer Repair Coaches. There will be several repair stations, including electronics, lighting, furniture, toys, small appliances, and jewelry.
Repair Coaches must be at least 18 years old with repair experience in trades or crafts such as small appliances, woodworking/carpentry, electrical, electronics, and costume jewelry. People of all ages are welcome to be a Repair Coach, and no formal experience is necessary.
Volunteers are needed for four hours, 10 am to 1 pm on Saturday October 22.
The Repair Café mission is to fix rather than dispose of beloved but broken objects and keep them in circulation rather than add to the landfill. The Rockland County Youth Bureau Program is coordinated by the Rockland Conservation & Service Corps, the Village of Haverstraw, and Rockland Green.
Rockland County Executive Ed Day said, “We increasingly are becoming a “throw away” society which tosses possessions at the first sign of a glitch. Preserving repair know-how skills by passing them on to the younger generation is critical to Rockland’s shared future. We hope you will bring your expertise and join us.”
Contact Kathy Galione, Volunteer Coordinator for Repair Café at 845-364-2932 or email rcsc@co.rockland.ny.us as soon as possible.
