CANTON — The County of St. Lawrence and the City of Ogdensburg continue their legal battle involving property tax garnishment in a separate appeal from the county.
The lawsuit began last September when the Ogdensburg City Council voted to change the charter to waive the city’s tax confiscation liability, defaulting to St. Lawrence County from January 1, 2022. I was.
The county filed a lawsuit in November, saying the city’s actions “do not comply” with the state constitution or the state’s local government and tax laws and “violate the rights” of St. Lawrence County and its treasurer.
In December, Supreme Court Justice Mary M. Farley dismissed the case, and the county appealed. Last week, the Appeals Division of the Third Judicial Division ruled to dismiss her appeal.
That same day, the city announced the “victory” in a news release, in which county treasurer Lenny M. Cole and county attorney Stephen D. Button announced that the city would “continue to make countywide on all outstanding property taxes.” They want to, and they don’t want to see the city recover from the financial thumbs they’ve imposed on it over the decades.”
Mr. Button said that day he wasn’t sure if the county would appeal.
On Thursday, the city announced that Ms. Cole, Mr. Button, and William J. Sheridan, chairman of the St. Lawrence County Council Committee, have decided to appeal the court’s decision.
“Although the city has now won two lawsuits in a court of jurisdiction on this matter, Lenny Cole, William Sheridan, and (Stephen) Button continue to seek control of all local governments in St. Lawrence County, including the city of Ogdensburg. ,” said the press release.
The release also stated that county officials would “hide from personal responsibility and be transparent about their commitment to destroying the city of Ogdensburg and obstructing[Mayor Jeffrey M.]Skelly’s administration” as they make decisions at executive meetings on the matter. can be avoided,” he said. By all means; this means a large economic cost for the taxpayer. ”
State public meeting laws permit executive sessions during meetings of public bodies for several reasons and must be open to the public before executive sessions. One valid reason for convening an executive session is for “discussion of proposed, pending, or current litigation.” According to the law, no formal ballot action using public money can take place during a presidential session.
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