Frequently Asked Questions

The CDT Program offers a GED program, vocational assessment, and employment training. The program collaborates with the Cattaraugus County Once Step Program, BOCES, Olean City Schools, and Everywoman Opportunity Center to provide comprehensive services to address individuals' needs. There is a strong focus on assisting consumers to re-enter the workforce.

The Guidepost has a MICA (mentally ill chemical abuser) program that is very successful in addressing these issues.  Individuals will be randomly screened for substance abuse via urine and/or serum levels.

Once the individual has successfully completed their period of probation, they will have the option of continuing to attend the program if they remain appropriate for this level of service. If they no longer require a CDT level of treatment, they will be referred for services at Olean Counseling Center.

We will not hesitate to use the Probation Department's influence on an individual to convince them to follow the terms of probation. Failing that, we will ask that the Probation Officer issue a violation.

Referrals are made to the Program Director (Peggy Keller, 373-8080). The individual will be screened for admission. It is our hope that many of the screening will be made during the pre-sentencing interviews in conjunction with the Probation Department so that, when appropriate, the recommendation can be made in the Probation report.

The staff at the Guidepost includes Administrative staff, a Psychiatrist, a Social Worker, 3 Registered Nurses, 2 Rehabilitation Specialists, 1 Recreation Therapist, 2 Recreation Aides, a Case Manager and support staff. A probation Officer will work closely with The Guidepost and will be a member of the Treatment Team.

The program will provide a psychiatric assessment and an individualized treatment plan that will address identified deficits. There will be case management services that will ensure the individual has all of the support services necessary for them to be successful in the community; e.g., housing, Medicaid, food, transportation, etc.

Any person who is considered a poor risk in the community; e.g., considered violent, a person who has committed a serious crime and is more appropriately housed in jail.

To qualify, a person MUST have an Axis I diagnosis. This means that the individual must have a mental illness which has been diagnosed by a psychiatrist. Some of the most common diagnosis that are appropriate include Schizophrenia, Major Depression, and Bipolar Mood Disorder. These individuals would be more appropriately places in a treatment program rather than jail. They will not be a threat to the community and they will have functional deficits which can be addressed by the CDT.

1. Contact your local assessor first and discuss your concerns.
2. You may review comparable properties and their assessment in your area by looking at the Tax Rate Comparison page and reviewing properties at the Interactive County Parcel Map. This may help you determine if your assessment, based on surrounding properties, are justified. Please remember to print the help page in order to navigate properly.
3. If you are still not satisfied, you may file an Assessment Review Challenge with the local Board of Assessment Review. This board meets annually, usually on the 4th Tuesday of May. Contact your local assessor for specific dates and times for the Board of Assessment Review, along with requesting the necessary forms to file your complaint.

Contact your local assessor for information and applications.

The assessor names and phone numbers can be found on the Cattaraugus County Assessors page.

The assessor is continually communicating with the public, answering questions, and dealing with concerns raised by taxpayers. Anyone can examine the assessment roll and property records at any time. However, between Taxable Status Day and the filing of the tentative roll, it should be done by appointment.

It is up to individual property owners to monitor their own assessments. Taxpayers who feel they are not being fairly assessed should meet with their assessor before the tentative assessment roll is established. In an informal setting, the assessor can explain how the assessment was determined and the rationale behind it.

Assessors are interested only in fairly assessing property in their assessing unit. If your assessment is correct and your tax bill still seems too high, the assessor cannot change that. Complaints to the assessor must be about how property is assessed.

Taxpayers unhappy with growing property tax bills should not be concerned only with assessments. They should also examine the scope of budgets and expenditures of the taxing jurisdictions (counties, cities, towns, villages, school districts, etc.) and address those issues in appropriate and available public forums.

Informal meetings with assessors to resolve assessment questions about the next assessment roll can take place throughout the year. If, after speaking with your assessor, you still feel you are unfairly assessed, ask for the booklet, "How to File For a Review of Your Assessment." It describes how to prepare and file a complaint with the Board of Assessment Review for an assessment reduction, and indicates the time of year it can be done.

The assessor performs many other administrative functions, such as inspecting new construction and major improvements to existing structures. This ensures that the record of each property's physical inventory is current and that the appropriate improvements are assessed.

The assessor also approves and keeps track of property tax exemptions. Among the most common are the senior citizen, School Tax Relief (STAR), veterans, agricultural, and business exemptions.

The Real Property System is a computer software package (created and maintained by ORPS) to assist assessment administration functions. It is available to assessors who have the necessary computer equipment, and allows them to electronically maintain the assessment roll and related records. Corrections to State form RP-5217 can also be sent to the State Board electronically. The Real Property System also includes computer-assisted mass appraisal programs for value estimation and assessment updates.

Legally, the assessor must be present at all public hearings of the Board of Assessment Review (BAR). The BAR may request the assessor to present evidence in support of tentative assessments being grieved by taxpayers. After meeting in private without the assessor, the BAR makes its decisions and orders any appropriate changes to the assessment roll before it becomes final. If assessment reductions are denied by the BAR, and property owners appeal to Small Claims Assessment Review, the assessor prepares evidence for those hearings.

The assessor reviews every transfer of real property for accuracy, including the basic information on the buyer, seller, and sale price. Assessment records are updated, and any unusual conditions affecting the transfer are also verified. Results are recorded on form RP-5217 at the real estate closing. The assessor makes corrections to this form.

ORPS requires assessors to file an annual report on assessment changes. ORPS also "equalizes" property assessments to a common full (market) value in each municipality. More information on the ORPS full value measurement program is available on the ORPS website at www.orps.state.ny.us/home/etld_index.cfm.

The New York State Assessors' Association pamphlet, "Understanding Assessments and Property Taxes", states:

The Assessor has a right to go into your front door and seek admittance (Possibly he or she will only want to inspect the exterior of the house) but must leave the premises if asked to do so.

If it is really inconvenient to allow an inspection at that time, tell your visitor just that and try to make an appointment for some other date.  However, if you can spare the ten minutes or so that will usually be required, we urge that you allow it to proceed so that the information necessary for equitable assessment can be gathered.

The pamphlet cautions property owners not to allow anyone into their homes without proper identification, preferably I.D. cards with photographs signed by an authorized town or city official. "No identification - no entry!"

Before assessing any parcel of property, the assessor estimates its market value. Market value is how much a property would sell for, in an open market, under normal conditions. To estimate market values, the assessor must be familiar with all aspects of the local real estate market.

A property's value can be estimated in three different ways. First, property is compared to others similar to it that have sold recently, using only sales where the buyer and seller both acted without undue pressure. This method is called the market approach and is normally used to value residential, vacant, and farm properties.

The second way is to calculate the cost, using today's labor and material prices, to replace the structure with a similar one. If the structure is not new, the assessor determines the depreciation since it was built. The resulting value is added to an estimate of the market value of the land. This method is called the cost approach, is used to value special purpose and utility properties.

The third way is to analyze how much income a property (like an apartment building, store, or factory) will produce if rented. Operating expenses, insurance, maintenance costs, financing terms, and how much money expected to be earned are considered. This method is called the income approach.

Properties in suboptimal uses generally may not be assessed at market value; they must be assessed at their current-use value.

Assessors with computers can estimate values more efficiently than by hand. Computer Assisted Mass Appraisal (CAMA) techniques are used to analyze sales and estimate values for many properties at once.

Once the assessor estimates the market value of a property, its assessment is calculated. New York State law provides that all property within a municipality be assessed at a uniform percent of market value. The level of assessment can be five percent, 20 percent, 50 percent, or any other fraction, up to 100 percent. Everyone pays his or her fair share of taxes as long as every property in a locality is assessed at the same percent of value.

For example, a house with a market value of $100,000, located in a town that assesses at 15 percent of value, would have an assessment of $15,000. The assessment is multiplied by the tax rate for each taxing jurisdiction - city, town, village, school district, etc. - to determine the tax bills. (For further explanation of this process, see the pamphlet entitled, "How the Property Tax Works," available from your assessor or from ORPS. The pamphlet also is available online at www.orps.state.ny.us)

The assessment roll shows assessments and appropriate exemptions. Every year the roll, with preliminary or tentative assessments, is made available for public inspection. After the Board of Assessment Review (BAR) has acted on assessment complaints and ordered any changes, the tentative assessment roll is made final.

All real property, commonly known as real estate, is assessed. Real property is defined as land and any permanent structures attached to it. Some examples of real property are houses, gas stations, office buildings, vacant land, motels, shopping centers, saleable natural resources (oil, gas, timber), farms, apartment buildings, factories, restaurants, and, in most instances, mobile homes.

Each year, appointed assessors must complete an average of 24 hours of continuing education. Both elected and appointed assessors may attain any of three advanced designations awarded by ORPS: State Certified Assessor-Advanced, State Certified Assessor-Professional, and State Certified Assessor-National.

The assessor maintains the municipality's assessment roll -- the document containing each property assessment. The physical description (or inventory) and value estimate of every parcel is kept current. The property inventory is available for inspection by appointment before the filing of the tentative assessment roll.

Assessors must obtain basic certification by New York State within three years of taking office. This requires the successful completion of orientation, three assessment administration course components, and five appraisal components, including farm appraisal for certain agricultural communities. The New York State Office of Real Property Services (ORPS) prescribes the components.

The assessor is a local government official who estimates the value of real property within a city, town, or village's boundaries. This value is converted into an assessment, which is one component in the computation of real property tax bills.

Yes, a residence must be occupied for 30 days before a dye test can be performed.

Yes you may get either the seasonal flu shot or the H1N1 flu shot in any order.  We recommend that you get your vaccinations when ever they become available to you. 

One clinic is held in January in Little Valley.  Once clinic is held in May in Little Valley.  Three clinics are held in September (Markhams, Allegany and Franklinville).

See the Cattaraugus County Calendar for upcoming rabies clinics.

Yes, you can.

In order to accommodate the large number of requests we receive for copies, especially around income tax time, we ask that you call your local collector if you paid your tax to that collector. However, if you paid your tax to the County Treasurer, you may obtain a copy by sending a written request along with a self-addressed stamped envelope and $1.00 to the County Treasurer’s Office.

The City of Salamanca does not return County taxes to the County Treasurer’s Office for collection. Call the City Comptroller, Linda Rychcik, for more information at 945-3890.

All property owners are responsible for the taxes levied. If a bill is not received, the owner must call the local collector and inquire about the amount due and the possible reason for not receiving a bill. All penalties that have been added up to the date of payment, must be paid.

The Treasurer's Office can make address corrections on delinquent tax records, and request the assessor to update address changes on the upcoming tax roll. However the owner name is established on the tax roll by the deed that was filed in the County Clerk’s Office. A change in owner’s name requires filing a document in the County Clerk’s Office or in Surrogate Court. The Assessor is the one that will then make the change on the tax roll.

Contact your local assessor for the needed information and forms. You may locate your town assessors' contact information.

Contact your local assessor for the needed information and forms. You may locate your town assessors' contact information.

On the front of your tax bill, you will find your local collector’s address to pay by mail, and if applicable where to pay in person.

There is also a payment schedule. If the taxes are not paid by the last deadline, the tax lien is returned to the County for collection.

On the back of your bill, you will find the address for sending your payments after March 31 for town & county,  and after October 31 for schools & villages and the City of Olean.  There will be additional interest and penalties added to the original amount.  Please verify the amount owed by calling the Treasurer's Office, as wrong amounts may be returned to you thereby delaying the posting of a payment.

If you owe more than one year of taxes to the Treasurer’s Office, section 1112 of NYS Real Property Tax Law allows you to pay for one tax lien at a time, however, it requires you to pay the most recent tax first.

You may currently pay delinquent taxes only.  Please be advised, however, that the company that we currently use to process credit card payments, GPS-EXP, will be charging a 5% fee over the tax amount being paid to the County.

First, call the Treasurer’s Office to get the current amount due, 716-938-9111. You must also know which Town the property is located in, the Account Number and Tax Map Number. Then call GPS-EXP, toll-free 1-888-604-7888. You will be asked for the above information.  They will also want to know that our location code is 1110. GPS will then contact us and verify amounts before completing the transaction. Your taxes will be posted when GPS-EXP confirms payment, which should be within the next two business days.

No. County law requires that we accept full amounts for the tax bill.

What is swine flu?

Swine Influenza, also called swine flu, is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it’s possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.

Is swine flu the same as seasonal flu?

No. Seasonal flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by human influenza viruses. It can cause mild to severe illness and at times can lead to death. Human flu viruses change a little bit every year which is why people can get sick from the flu more than once. It is also why a new flu vaccine is produced each year; the vaccine must be made to protect against the particular viruses circulating that year.

Human and swine flu viruses are different. People who get vaccinated for human flu can still get sick from swine flu. Pigs that have been vaccinated for swine flu can still get sick from human flu. Symptoms of swine flu in people are no different from symptoms that people get when they are infected with human flu viruses. People infected with flu typically have fever (often high), cough, body aches, headaches, fatigue and runny or stuffy nose. Vomiting and diarrhea may also occur.

Contact the Cancer Screening Program at 1-585-593-4839. They provide breast exam, pelvic exam, mammogram and pap smears at no charge.

After you are enrolled in the Cancer Screening Program you can then make an appointment in a Cattaraugus County clinic (716) 701-3439

With the onset of winter, Christopher Baker, Director of Cattaraugus County Office of Emergency Services, reminds the public to prepare for severe weather conditions by following the steps outlined below:

Know what Winter Storm WATCHES and WARNINGS mean

• A winter storm WATCH means a winter storm is possible in your area
• A winter storm WARNING means a winter storm is headed for your area.
• A Blizzard WARNING means strong winds, blinding wind-driven snow and dangerous wind chills are expected. 

When a Winter Storm WATCH is issued:

• Stay indoors and dress warmly during the storm. To keep warm, it is better to wear layers of loose-fitting, lightweight clothing than one bulky sweater.
• Listen to local radio, and TV stations for further updates
• Be alert to changing weather conditions.
• Avoid unnecessary travel.
• Drink lots of fluids to prevent dehydration.
• Eat regularly. The body needs food as a source of energy to produce its own heat. 

When a Winter Storm WARNING is issued:

•  Have safe emergency heating equipment available (wood fireplaces, portable space heaters or kerosene heater). If using kerosene heaters, be sure to maintain proper ventilation to avoid carbon monoxide poisoning. Keep all space heaters and kerosene heaters away from combustible materials such as bedding, furniture and curtains.
• Listen to local radio or TV stations for updates.
• Stay indoors during the storm, but if you must ... carry a winter storm survival kit. This kit should include a flashlight, jumper cables, sand or kitty litter for traction, ice scraper, snow brush, shovel, blankets, water, nonperishable food and first aid supplies.
• Keep your car's gas tank full for emergency use and to keep the fuel line from freezing.
• Let someone know your destination, what route you are taking and when you plan to arrive so they can alery authorities if you do not get there.

We do not have information on the owner of an individual mobile home in a trailer park. The owner of the park would be the person to contact about individual mobile home ownership.  In some cases the local assessor will have a mobile home park sheet filled out. This sheet may list the owners and the type of mobile home.

The Interactive Parcel Map would tell you the owner of the property.

You may file a DBA with the Clerk's Office in Little Valley County Center at 303 Court Street, Little Valley, New York 14755

Download DBA forms

Rabies

Rabies Awareness,

Rabies Clinics

Lyme Disease

Be Tick Free Guide

Bird Flu

Question: "Is it safe to feed backyard birds?"

Answer: The severe bird flu called H5N1 avian
influenza has not been found anywhere in the
United States. Even if bird flu does come to the U.S.,
it’s important to know that bird flu is hard for people to
catch.

• If you enjoy feeding the birds, go ahead. Some
  things you can do to keep it safe and fun are:
• Clean and disinfect bird feeders regularly and wash your hands
  afterward.Do not touch any backyard birds with your
  bare hands.

To learn more about bird flu, visit
www.nyhealth.gov. 

Free Birth Control
Free Contraceptives
Free STD (Sexually Transmitted Disease) Testing

Checkout the following sites for Small Business Assistance

Cattaraugus County Business Development Corporation (CCBDC)

NYS Small Business Development Corporation (SBDC) Jamestown & Olean

Government Jobs

Human Resources (Civil Service) posts many jobs around the county from different municipalities.

Non-Government Jobs

This site also has non-governmental jobs listed from other job sites. 

Job Training

If you are looking for job training then check out the Cattaraugus County One Stop Career Center

You can be alerted of local emergencies or community alerts via cell phone or internet phone for FREE!
Emergency Notifications via your cell phone or internet phone
Sign-up for Emergency Notifications on your Cell Phone or Internet Phone!

Planning has Flood Plain Maps.  Flood maps are also available on the county's parcel viewer. Also, you can go to FEMA's map center to create a FIRMETTE - a small flood map of your neighborhood.

Screenshots of Floodplain layer on Cattaraugus County Parcel Viewer

You can have a map made the way you want at the Department of Real Property and GIS Services.

They make all kinds of maps. The starting price for a map is $7 for a 36"x36" map.

Be sure to check our maps section for road maps, population maps and more!

Cattaraugus County Real Property and GIS produce the Cattaraugus County Road Map and various municipal road maps. The standard Cattaraugus County road map is 36"x36" . Cattaraugus County Road Maps are available at:

• for $1.00 at the County Center in Little Valley front desk and in the Real Property Services offices.
• download the Cattaraugus County Road Map for free

If you would like to help the county we are looking for the following volunteers:

Photographers

Amateur or Professional ... if you like taking photos around Cattaraugus County then we'd like to see your work.

Event Volunteers

Do you know a lot about Cattaraugus County? Would you like to go to a show to represent Cattaraugus County?

Town, Village and City Volunteers

Pick up garbage in your neighborhood. Contact your municipality to see if they have any community organizations that need help.

Do you want to sell your product or service to a local, state or federal government? If so then you would need government marketing assistance through the Cattaraugus County Procurement Technical Assistance Center (PTAC).

Please visit http://www.cattco.org/economic_development/gma for more information.

Board of Elections

CCBDC
CCIDA
STW

Cattaraugus County does not issue building permits for construction.  These are issued by the local municipalities - cities, towns and villages.  If you are proposing to do any construction, you will need to contact the building inspector for the municipality in which you want to build to find out what permits are required.

Zoning Information

Zoning permits may also be required for any new uses or construction, or improvements to existing structures.  These are also issued by the local municipalities and may include site plan review, special use permits, and variances.  Not every municipality in Cattaraugus County has zoning regulations; please check with the local building inspector for any zoning regulations that may apply to your project.

• Municipalities without zoning map
• Some Zoning information is available in an interactive map on the Cattaraugus County Parcel Viewer.