RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE OPPOSING A NEW PROPERTY TAX MECHANISM FOR TAXING GOLF COURSES WITHIN THE STATE OF NEW YORK

WHEREAS; Assembly Bill A6444 and Senate Bill S4420 would allow localities to begin setting property taxes on local golf courses to be set in accordance with the “highest and best use” of the land rather than the current use; and

WHEREAS; the proposal could damage the viability of golf courses in an already challenged industry and would lead to skyrocketing property taxes, either causing them to close or pass the new costs onto players; and

WHEREAS; the New York State Club Association in New York estimates the bill would adversely impact 250 private clubs and 500 public and semi-public courses across the state and believes the resulting tax increases could force about one third of private clubs to close within five years; and

WHEREAS; the New York State Club Association in New York further estimates that taxes on golf courses could be increased by at least fourfold and as much as tenfold; and

WHEREAS; the Mohawk Valley region is home to numerous golf courses and facilities that form a vital component of the regional travel and tourism industry; and

WHEREAS; the proposed change in this property tax could result in financial harm or closure to numerous local golf courses and have a sever adverse effect on regional tourism and jobs;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce does hereby oppose any changes in the property tax rules regarding golf courses in New York State as proposed in Assembly Bill A6444 and Senate Bill S4420.