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Legislation allows Utica Food Bank to file late for tax exemption status

By By JOLEEN FERRIS

Story Created: Aug 31, 2010 at 11:19 AM EST

Story Updated: Aug 31, 2010 at 11:19 AM EST

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Officials at the Utica Community Food Bank are breathing a sigh of relief after a close call that could have cost them around $10,000.

The Food Bank took ownership of their current building on Genesee Street in 2006. The building does enjoy tax exempt status, but in order to receive that benefit, the food bank must file an application by August 1 each year.

Current acting Executive Director, attorney Mark Wolber, says that wasn't done for the years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009. Kim Strong was executive director at the time. Wolber says that the law wouldn't allow the Utica Common Council to forgive the old tax bill, so he went to Assemblywoman Roann Destito, who got a new law passed.

"This new law allows the city of Utica Common Council to accept a late application on behalf of the community food bank for tax exempt status for the years 2007-2008 and 2008-2009 for which we are currently in arrears on taxes," says Wolber.

Wolber hopes the common council will pass the law at their regular September 8 meeting.
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