The county says the Steuben County Legislature will hold a public hearing at 10:00 a.m. on June 22, 2026 at the Steuben County Legislative Chambers, 20 East Morris Street, in the Village of Bath, New York.

The hearing is designed to take public comments on Steuben County’s community development needs and to discuss the possible submission of a 2026 CDBG application. The notice is dated June 9, 2026.

What the hearing is about: possible 2026 CDBG application

According to the county’s notice, the hearing will provide information about the CDBG program and allow residents to take part in developing “any proposed grant applications” and/or provide input with the goal of developing alternative proposals with technical assistance.

$198,000 in CDBG funds proposed for well and septic replacements

The notice says Steuben County is applying for $198,000.00 in CDBG funds to facilitate well and septic replacements.

Why this is tied to low- and moderate-income residents (CDBG background)

HUD describes CDBG as providing formula grants to states, cities, and counties, with an emphasis on low- and moderate-income persons. HUD also notes that, over a 1-, 2-, or 3-year period chosen by the grantee, not less than 70% of CDBG funds must be used for activities that benefit low- and moderate-income persons.

HUD further explains that CDBG requires a citizen-participation plan that includes public hearings where residents can share views about proposed activities—and written responses through the planning process.

State role: New York Office of Community Renewal (OCR)

In New York, HUD says the CDBG program is administered by the Office of Community Renewal. On its OCR page, HCR says the office provides funding to local governments and not-for-profits for public infrastructure, job creation and small business development, and to create and preserve affordable housing. HCR also describes CDBG as partnering with local governments on activities such as job opportunities for low- and moderate-income persons and other community needs.

How to comment: hearing + written deadline of June 26

The county notice highlights two ways to participate:

• Speak at the public hearing on June 22
• Submit written comments due by June 26, 2026

For written comments, the notice says they may be submitted to Marie Myers Shearing, Steuben County Planning Director, 3 E. Pulteney Square, Bath NY 14810 until June 26, 2026.

The notice also says the meeting room is accessible to people with disabilities. If special accommodations are needed for hearing impairments or translation from English, the notice directs people to contact the Clerk of the Legislature’s Office at 607-664-2247 at least one week in advance.

County process context: this is a required citizen-participation step

Minutes from the county’s Agriculture, Industry and Planning Committee meeting on June 3, 2026 show the planning director requested authorization to apply for the CDBG well and septic grant funding and to hold the public hearing related to submitting the application.

In other words: this June 22 hearing is part of the required citizen-participation process before any later CDBG decisions and implementation steps. If you rely on a private well or septic system—or you manage one for a household or rental—this is a practical moment to ask questions about how well/septic replacement efforts would be structured under the CDBG framework for low- and moderate-income beneficiaries.

Sources

• Steuben County Legislature notice of public hearing (CDBG well and septic replacements; notice dated June 9, 2026)
• HUD — Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program overview
• New York State Homes and Community Renewal — Office of Community Renewal

Bath-area seniors could see a bigger county property-tax exemption if Steuben County approves a proposed local law now headed to a public hearing.

The change would not create a brand-new program. Instead, it would expand the county’s existing income-based senior exemption schedule so some lower-income homeowners could qualify for a larger reduction in their county property tax bill.

Under the proposal, the exemption would be 65% for households with incomes up to $32,000. The schedule would then step down to 60% for incomes from $32,000.01 to $33,000, 55% for incomes from $33,000.01 to $34,000, and 50% for incomes from $34,000.01 to $35,000.

The resolution keeps the current upper income ceiling shown in the county’s rules at $43,400. That means the proposal appears aimed at broadening relief for some lower-income seniors while leaving the top eligibility limit in place.

Why this matters for Bath residents

For qualifying homeowners, the change could mean a smaller county tax bill at a time when property taxes remain a major concern for older residents on fixed incomes. It could also matter to adult children and caregivers helping family members compare housing costs and decide whether aging in place is still affordable.

The important detail is that eligibility is still income-based. Not every senior homeowner would qualify, and the benefit would apply only under the county’s exemption rules. The proposal also affects the county exemption, not school or municipal taxes, unless those separate taxing bodies take different action under their own rules.

County lawmakers still have to complete the local-law process before anything takes effect. A public hearing is scheduled for 10 a.m. April 27 in the Steuben County Legislative Chambers in Bath, giving residents a chance to weigh in before any final vote.

What happens next

After the hearing, lawmakers can move ahead, amend the proposal, or leave it unchanged. Until that process is finished, the exemption change remains a proposal rather than final law.

For homeowners watching county taxes closely, the key takeaway is simple: if you are a senior homeowner with income near the lower bands, this proposal could matter. The April 27 hearing is the next date to watch.

Sources

• Steuben County Legislature March Resolution 5 on senior tax exemption changes
• Steuben County public hearing notice for Local Law Tentatively No. Three of 2026
• Steuben County legislative portal
• WSKG report on Steuben County budget and tax context