Introduction
Welcome to the first meeting of the Warren County Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Concerns and Real Property Committee in 2023. In this meeting, various topics, including the establishment of a petty cash fund for the Real Property Tax Service Department and a recently signed assembly bill regarding exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers, were discussed.
Establishing a Petty Cash Fund
During the meeting, the committee addressed the need to establish a petty cash fund for the Real Property Tax Service Department. The tax collector explained that, despite having money bags, the office did not have a proper fund for small expenses. As a result, she had been personally floating around $15 to ensure smooth operations until there was enough money for deposits. She proposed setting up a constant fund of $40 to address this issue. The committee approved the resolution, and the matter will be referred to the finance department for further action.
Exemptions for Volunteer Firefighters and Ambulance Workers
The committee also discussed a recently signed assembly bill, A10155-a, which focuses on providing exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. The bill requires the county, towns, fire departments, and schools to pass local laws in order to offer tax exemptions of up to 10% for eligible active firefighters and ambulance workers who live and own property in the community they serve. The tax collector mentioned that there is currently an income tax exemption available at the state level, but individuals cannot claim both exemptions simultaneously. However, if there are multiple eligible members in the same household, one can claim the income tax exemption while the other claims the property tax exemption. The committee expressed interest in further exploring this topic and proposed consulting with the county attorney’s office to draft a local law.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Warren County Board of Supervisors’ Environmental Concerns and Real Property Committee addressed important matters during their meeting, including establishing a petty cash fund for the Real Property Tax Service Department and the recently signed assembly bill providing exemptions for volunteer firefighters and ambulance workers. These discussions aim to improve the efficiency of the tax collection process and support local volunteers. The committee will continue working on these issues to ensure the smooth operation of services for the town of Warren, CT.