Vote YES for the Kingston Community Preservation Fund!

We need your vote and your help to protect our water, our natural areas, and the outdoor recreation we love in Kingston

Vote YES for the Kingston Community Preservation Fund!

We need your vote and your help to protect our water, our natural areas, and the outdoor recreation we love in Kingston

Kingston Community Preservation Fund Ballot Measure

The ballot measure will appear on the back of this election's Kingston ballot and will read:

SHALL THE LOCAL LAW, ENTITLED "LOCAL LAW 10 OF 2024 OF THE COMMON COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KINGSTON, NEW YORK, TO CREATE THE CLEAN WATER, URBAN AGRICULTURE, HISTORIC RESOURCES, RECREATION AND NATURAL AREAS PRESERVATION FUND" CREATING A TAX, IN THE AMOUNT OF 1.25%, ON THE CONVEYANCE OF INTERESTS IN REAL PROPERTY IN THE CITY OF KINGSTON, WITH THE REVENUES FROM THIS TAX TO BE DEPOSITED IN THE CITY OF KINGSTON COMMUNITY PRESERVATION FUND BE APPROVED?

IF YOU ARE A KINGSTON VOTER, WE URGE YOU TO VOTE YES! IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE, SCROLL DOWN.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please reach us at info@preservekingston.vote if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)?

The New York State Legislature has passed a law allowing municipalities in the Hudson Valley to levy a real estate transfer tax to fund local protection and preservation of Clean Water, Urban Agriculture, Historic Resources, Recreational land, and Natural land. Several of Kingston's neighboring communities, including Marbletown, New Paltz, Gardiner, and Red Hook, already have such a fund.

Where will the money come from for the Community Preservation Fund (CPF)?

The ballot measure is to approve a 1.25% one-time real estate transfer tax on Kingston property transactions above the Ulster County median sales price.

Who will pay this tax?

Only buyers of Kingston real property.

Most Kingston residents will never pay this tax. Kingston renters and homeowners will NOT be affected by the tax. This tax is only for purchasers of Kingston real estate. Buyers will pay the tax on that portion greater than the Ulster County median sales price.

What does "above the Ulster County median price" mean?

The Ulster County 2024 Median Home Price is $376,500.00. If a buyer pays $500,000 for a Kingston property, and the CPF is approved, they will only be taxed on that portion above the median, or $123,500. 1.25% of this example is $1,543.75. It is a one-time tax, paid only by the property buyer.

How will the money be spent?

By New York State law the Community Preservation Funds may only be used for:

A. Establishment of parks, nature preserves, or recreational areas.

B. Preservation of open space.

C. Preservation of lands of exceptional scenic value.

D. Preservation of fresh and saltwater marshes or other wetlands.

E. Preservation of aquifer recharge areas.

F. Preservation of undeveloped beach-lands or shoreline.

G. Establishment of wildlife refuges for the purpose of maintaining native animal species diversity, including the protection of habitat essential to the recovery of rare, threatened or endangered species.

H. Preservation of unique or threatened ecological areas.

I. Preservation of rivers or river areas in natural, free-flowing condition.

J. Preservation of forested land.

K. Preservation of public access to lands for public use, including stream rights and waterways.

L. Preservation of historic places and properties listed on the New York State Register of Historic Places and/or protected under a municipal historic preservation ordinance or law

M. Undertaking any of the purposes of this article in furtherance of the establishment of a greenbelt.

N. Preservation of land which is predominantly viable agricultural land, as defined in Subdivision 7 of §301 of the Agriculture and Markets Law, or unique and irreplaceable agricultural land, as defined in Subdivision 6 of §301 of the Agriculture and Markets Law.

Will private property be seized by the city?

Absolutely NOT. New York State law only permits use of Community Preservation Funds to purchase land from willing sellers.

Who will oversee the use of the Fund?

Local Law 8 of 2024 of the Common Council of Kingston creates a Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board, and says as follows:

A. An Advisory Board is hereby established to review and make recommendations on proposed acquisitions of interests in real property using monies from the fund.

B. Such Board shall consist of seven members who shall be legal residents of the City and who shall serve without compensation. No member of the Common Council shall serve on the Advisory Board. Members initially appointed to the Board shall serve staggered terms as follows: one member shall be appointed for a term expiring at the end of the municipal official year in which initially appointed, and the terms of the remaining members shall expire at the end of each official year thereafter. At the expiration of the term of each member first appointed; their successor shall be appointed for a term of seven years.

C. A majority of the members appointed shall have demonstrated experience with conservation or land preservation activities. The Common Council shall make a reasonable effort to appoint at least one active farmer and at least one member of the County Agricultural and Farmland Protection Board to the Board. The Common Council shall further make a reasonable effort to appoint one or more members of the Historic Landmarks Preservation Commission and Climate Smart Commission to the Board or Kingston Conservation Advisory Council to the Board.

D. The Board shall act in an advisory capacity to the Common Council.

What the Fund CANNOT be Used For

Under NY State Law, the CPF CANNOT be used for:

Housing (there are other groups in Kingston actively working on this)
Sewer and stormwater infrastructure improvements
Road infrastructure improvements

Postcard - Lawn Sign - Press Release Quotes

On the 2024 Ballot: An Initiative to Create the Kingston Community Preservation Fund

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

Such a fund would not increase property taxes, but rather be paid for by a real-estate tax.

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

The CPF would enable the city to put into action its Community Preservation Plan

The Kingston Land Trust commissioned a poll which showed that 62% of likely Kingston voters would approve

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

The Kingston Land Trust commissioned a poll which showed that 62% of likely Kingston voters would approve

A citizens’ advisory board would be appointed to oversee the selection of projects that would receive the funds

Who Is Leading the Campaign for Kingston CPF?

We are volunteers who care about Kingston clean water, open space, the city's history and character.

We are local Kingston residents, organizations, and friends of Kingston who have come together as volunteers to support the passage of the local law establishing a Community Preservation Fund in Kingston.

Campaign Officials

Michael Drillinger, President

Andrew Zink, Treasurer

Supporters

Kevin McEvoy Shaniqua Bowden

Cicily Wilson Annie Horner

Maggie Inge Greg Shaheen

Dr. La Tasha Brown Emilie Hauser

Other Local Communities with a CPF

Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board | Marbletown NY

Community Preservation Fund Advisory Board | New Paltz NY (townofnewpaltz.org)

https://www.townofwarwick.org/community-preservation

https://www.redhookny.gov/161/Community-Preservation-Fund-Advisory-Boa

https://www.townofgardiner.org/departments/community-preservation-advisory

Vote YES for the Kingston Community Preservation Fund!

Vote YES for the Kingston Community Preservation Fund!

Thank You For Your Support

Kingston Community Preservation Fund Ballot Measure

The ballot measure will appear on the back of this election's Kingston ballot and will read:

IF YOU ARE A KINGSTON VOTER, WE URGE YOU TO VOTE YES! IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE, SCROLL DOWN.

What Is the Community Preservation Fund?

Preserve What We Love About Kingston

Frequently Asked Questions

Postcard - Lawn Sign - Press Release Quotes

On the 2024 Ballot: An Initiative to Create the Kingston Community Preservation Fund

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

The Kingston Land Trust commissioned a poll which showed that 62% of likely Kingston voters would approve

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

The Kingston Land Trust commissioned a poll which showed that 62% of likely Kingston voters would approve

Downloads

Who Is Leading the Campaign for Kingston CPF?

We are volunteers who care about Kingston clean water, open space, the city's history and character.

Campaign Officials

Other Local Communities with a CPF

Support the Campaign for Kingston CPF

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Get involved!

These Kingston Organizations Support the CPF

Vote YES for the Kingston Community Preservation Fund!

Vote YES for the Kingston Community Preservation Fund!

Thank You For Your Support

Kingston Community Preservation Fund Ballot Measure

The ballot measure will appear on the back of this election's Kingston ballot and will read:

IF YOU ARE A KINGSTON VOTER, WE URGE YOU TO VOTE YES! IF YOU WANT TO KNOW MORE, SCROLL DOWN.

What Is the Community Preservation Fund?

Preserve What We Love About Kingston

Frequently Asked Questions

Postcard - Lawn Sign - Press Release Quotes

On the 2024 Ballot: An Initiative to Create the Kingston Community Preservation Fund

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

The Kingston Land Trust commissioned a poll which showed that 62% of likely Kingston voters would approve

Kingston residents will vote on a ballot measure that if passed would establish a Community Preservation Fund (CPF)

The Kingston Land Trust commissioned a poll which showed that 62% of likely Kingston voters would approve

Downloads

Who Is Leading the Campaign for Kingston CPF?

We are volunteers who care about Kingston clean water, open space, the city's history and character.

Campaign Officials

Other Local Communities with a CPF

Support the Campaign for Kingston CPF

Contact Us

Drop us a line!

Get involved!

These Kingston Organizations Support the CPF

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