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Verona's Windfall May Be Downfall for Neighbors

NEW YORK – As reported by the Rome Sentinel: "A sales tax dream-come-true for the Town of Verona might be a financial nightmare for the county's other 25 towns.

"At issue is the impact of adding Turning Stone casino and four other properties owned by the Oneida Indian Nation to Verona's tax roll. Moving them from tax exempt to taxable status has consequences. It will not only rocket the total assessed value of all 26 towns on which county sales tax distribution is partially based, but more than double Verona's taxable assessed value. That means Verona will get a much larger share of the total sales tax pie.

"Unless there's a big jump in sales tax revenue to be shared with the 26 towns and 19 villages, Verona stands to gain sales tax money at the expense of the other municipalities. That's because its revised assessment -- expected to soar -- would entitle the town to a larger slice of the total revenue.

"…'They say the devil is in the details. Well the recent Supreme Court decision on the taxability of Oneida Nation lands in Verona could be the devil for the other towns in Oneida County,' said Pat Tyksiniski, candidate for New Hartford supervisor…"

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