Yorktown Attempts to Collect from Delinquent Taxpayers
The Town of Yorktown is attempting to make a dent in the $1.7 million owed to it by delinquent taxpayers.
Supervisor Michael Grace said last week a recent legal solicitation to approximately 33 property owners on a 2008 foreclosure list resulted in more than $300,000 being collected by the town.
“We are trying to work with people who have outstanding tax bills,” Grace said. “There’s no greater anxiety than thinking you’ll be thrown out of your home.”
Grace responded to questions raised by former Supervisor Susan Siegel at last week’s Town Board meeting about what steps the town was taking to collect the funds. Siegel noted one home owes $196,694 in back taxes dating back to 2004.
“It comes down to an issue of equity and fairness,” Siegel remarked. “When some property owners don’t pay their taxes, other taxpayers end up paying their bills.”
Westchester is one of only two counties in the state where municipalities are required to collect and guarantee school, town and county taxes. Receiver of Taxes Elfriede Schmid said Yorktown collects about $150 million in taxes annually.
“We’re not threatening people to throw them out of their homes. They’re making an effort,” Schmid said.
Grace and Councilman Nick Bianco said the town has to take on the role of the bad guy based on the way the tax collection structure is set up.
“Westchester County is looking to us to close for affordable housing. I find that a little bit distasteful,” Grace said.
Rick has more than 40 years’ experience covering local news in Westchester and Putnam counties, running the gamut from politics and crime to sports and human interest. He has been an editor at Examiner Media since 2012. Read more from Rick’s editor-author bio here. Read Rick’s work here: https://www.theexaminernews.com/author/pezzullo_rick-writer/
