Niagara is the latest county to provide property tax breaks as a way of attracting volunteer firefighters and emergency service workers.
The county legislature approved a new law allowing a 10% property tax exemption on property owned by a member of a volunteer fire company, fire department or voluntary ambulance service, or spouse of a member, at its May session.
“Members of volunteer fire departments and ambulance corps provide valuable services to the people of Niagara County,” the law states. “In order to be certified and recertified, such volunteers must undertake numerous hours of training on their own time and often their own expense.”
State real property tax laws were amended in 2022 adding a provision allowing for the exemption to combat low volunteer first responder rates.