Disabled veterans in Onondaga County might soon get a break in their property taxes.
A veteran’s property tax exemption bill is working its way through the county legislature, and intends to help disabled veterans remain in their homes as they face economic and medical struggles.
The bill's lead sponsor is army veteran and Republican legislator David Knapp, and he already has the necessary support to pass the bipartisan bill.
Nine other county lawmakers have co-sponsored the bill, more than required for passage in the legislature. This includes the chair of the legislature, Democrat Nicole Watts; minority leader, Republican Brian May; and the majority leader, Democrat Nodesia Hernandez.
County legislators are scheduled to discuss the bill Tuesday at the Ways and Means Committee meeting, and take it up for a vote on November 5th during the monthly voting session.
According to the 2024 American Community Survey, there are between 3,000 and 4,500 veterans with service-related disabilities in Onondaga County.
Veterans qualify for the tax exemption if the Department of Veterans Affairs considers them permanently and totally disabled as a result of military service. Additionally, veterans who were discharged or released under honorable conditions, have a qualifying condition, or were discharged for being LGBT are eligible under the bill.
This comes after the county legislature approved a nine-percent property tax cut earlier this October.