USH Newsletter 9/3/25
Our Goal: Expanding Our Tax Base to Lower Your Bills
Have you ever wondered who pays for our Village services? The answer might surprise you. In Sleepy Hollow, over a quarter of all property—more than 34% of the assessable land—is tax-exempt. This means a small number of properties pay nothing in Village taxes, leaving the rest of us to cover 100% of the costs.
While many of these properties are schools or religious institutions, our own Village
government is one of the largest owners of tax-exempt land, holding 65 different
properties. Many of these are essential, like our parks and Village Hall.
But some are not... The Village is currently holding onto valuable, underutilized
properties that could and should be contributing to our tax base.
A Missed Opportunity for Our Community
This isn't just a matter of numbers; it's about missed opportunities on our streets.
● The Old DPW Building on River Street: If development of the East Parcel is
restarted, as supported by USH, Our Department of Public Works would get a
new facility there. This means the old DPW building, located on prime property
across from Horan's Landing, can be sold. Imagine that site transformed into new
restaurants, shops, or apartments—creating jobs, adding vibrancy to our
waterfront, and generating tax revenue for years to come.
● 64-68 Beekman Avenue: Instead of allowing a private owner to sell these
parcels to a developer who would build new storefronts or homes, the Village
chose to buy the property itself. This was a double-whammy for taxpayers: the
Village used taxpayer money to take a tax-paying property off the tax rolls.
The Unite Sleepy Hollow Solution: A Double Windfall for Taxpayers
Unite Sleepy Hollow believes we need to get smart about our Village-owned assets.
We have a common-sense plan to return non-essential, Village-owned properties to
the tax rolls. By selling these parcels to private developers, we can create a "double windfall" for the residents of Sleepy Hollow.
1. An Immediate Financial Boost: Some estimates suggest the Village is sitting
on over $10 million of these unutilized properties. The sale of these assets
would bring a one-time influx of cash that can be used to fund critical projects or
lower debt.
2. A Permanent, Larger Tax Base: Once developed, these properties will
contribute to our tax base every single year, reducing the burden on everyone
else.
This is a straightforward, effective way to reduce the tax burden on our residents and businesses. It's time to make smart decisions that will strengthen our Village’s
finances for the long term.
Please make your voice heard and vote for the Unite Sleepy Hollow ticket of Jim Husselbee for Mayor, and Tom Andruss, Carol Banino, and Jim Garvey for Trustees on November 4th.