City of Johnstown, Fulton County, school district accused of overtaxing PILOT properties

PHOTOGRAPHER: File Photo

This combined image shows, clockwise from top, the Fulton County Office Building; the name "Greater Johnstown School District" emblazen on the side of a district vehicle and Johnstown City Hall.

JOHNSTOWN — Multiple agencies have violated a 2021 tax agreement between two city of Johnstown apartment complexes, property stakeholders alleged earlier this week.

Trackside Development Fund Corporation and Vesta Trackside, LLC, recently filed a petition against the city, the Greater Johnstown School District and Fulton County to refund at least $186,513 in alleged overpayments and drop $232,829 accrued in delinquent bills.

The Johnstown Common Council two years ago greenlit an agreement allowing not-for-profit developers from paying taxes on a schedule separate from standard entities. Trackside I and II consist of a combined 206 affordable and subsidized housing units.

Under the PILOT plan, taxes would start at $39,000 for both properties and increase 2% each year. This year’s tax bills, petitioners allege, is $50,710 more than what was due for the 2021-2022 fiscal, and $29,817 more in the 2022-2023 cycle.

Trackside I and II were allegedly issued respective school tax bills of $86,500 and $53,551, in addition to respective property tax bills of $57,687 and $36,159.

“We’re not aware of any allegations at this point,” said GJSD Superintendent William Crankshaw. “We’ll be on the lookout, but I don’t have any comment as a result.”

Neither city administration, Fulton County nor the petitioner’s legal counsel, Couch White LLP, have responded to a request for comment. The recent court filing also summons former Mayor Vern Jackson and Town of Johnstown town Dave Walendziak.

Combined, the properties were assessed at $6.67 million, according to court documents.

Tyler A. McNeil can be reached at 518-527-7659 or [email protected] Follow him on Twitter @TylerAMcNeil.