Eligible Homeowners Will Receive a Check Via Mail by the End of October
The Schenectady County Legislature announced that eligible Schenectady County homeowners should receive a 2023 Schenectady County Homeowners $250 Rebate Program check by the end of the month. Homeowners who lived in the County and qualified for the STAR program as of December 31, 2022, and whose properties are in good standing, will receive a check from the County for $250.
The 2023 Schenectady County Homeowners $250 Rebate Program was included in the Majority Caucus’ amendments to the 2023 Adopted Operating Budget to provide $9 million in relief to over 35,000 homeowners. In the amendment the Legislature directed the County Manager to take the steps necessary to establish the rebate program, including requesting state authorization. The county submitted a home rule message to request enactment of the bill, which was introduced by Neil Breslin in the State Senate and Angelo Santabarbara in the State Assembly. The bill was passed by the state legislature earlier this year and signed into law on September 22, 2023.
“These rebate checks will provide some much-needed relief to our residents and families as we continue to face rising prices for necessities including food, housing, and fuel,” said Anthony Jasenski, Chair of the Schenectady County Legislature. “They are an extension of our efforts to hold the line on taxes while continuing to provide the vital services our residents need and deserve, which have saved taxpayers over $42 million dollars since 2017.”
More detailed information about the 2023 Schenectady County Homeowners $250 Rebate Program, including frequently asked questions, is available at www.schenectadycountyny.gov/rebate.
The County anticipates receiving a significant number of inquiries regarding this program and is asking homeowners to only reach out if they believe they are eligible for the program and have not received a check by October 31, or if they encounter any issues with the received check. Schenectady County is dedicated to addressing all inquiries as promptly as possible and we appreciate everyone’s patience in this process. Inquiries can be submitted online or by calling (518) 388-4294.
2024 Budget
Schenectady County is currently in the process of reviewing the tentative 2024 Operating Budget and 2024-2029 Capital Investment Program. The proposed budget includes a property tax levy of $71,086,466, which represents a zero percent increase from the 2023 Adopted Operating Budget. Since 2017, the average increase in the County’s tax levy is zero percent, which has saved taxpayers $56 million over the same period, had the levy increased by the maximum allowed under the State Property Tax Cap.