BY ANDY GARDNER

North Country This Week

CANTON – St. Lawrence County legislators questioned if they could clear a debt of over $800,000 that the City of Ogdensburg owes the county from unpaid property taxes 18 years ago.

The discussion took place during the legislature’s Jan. 25 Finance Committee meeting when County Treasurer Renee Cole was asking the board to approve a budget change to accommodate sales tax revenue in 2020 that was $1.8 million more than anticipated.

The budget modification passed unanimously. 

Legislator Joe Lightfoot, R-Ogdensburg, said Ogdensburg City Manager Stephen Jellie “at one time mentioned that the city owed the county, I think the figure he used was over $800,000” and asked Cole to clarify how that happened.

“We don’t have a ton of information ... other than ours agrees with the liability the city holds on their books, to the dollar,” Cole said, adding that the amount is around $825,000. “It’s not going to be a surprise for them.”

This was well before Cole took office.

“I can’t speak for prior treasurers and what rationale there was for why things weren’t paid. I was kind of told it was an honor system and they would make good on it,” she said, later adding that she does not believe any other municipalities are carrying similar debts.

Legislator Tony Arquiett, D-Helena, suggested the county look at taking what’s owed to them from Ogdensburg’s share of sales tax revenue.

“There’s not a mechanism as we were giving Ogdensburg their portion of sales tax distribution we wouldn’t have an opportunity to take that money back?” he asked.

“I don’t think that would be a decision for me to make. I’m not certain if that’s even a viable option,” Cole replied.

County Attorney Stephen Button said they do have options, but he didn’t want to go into details because some of it may include litigation. 

“We do have several options,” Button said. “Preferably because some of them may entail litigation, it’s most appropriate to discuss those items in executive session.”

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