BUFFALO, N.Y. — The law establishing Erie County's tax structure went into effect in 1942, and now some county leaders said they want to clean it up.

"Essentially everywhere else in the state operates under the same system, Erie County Tax Act, we operate our tax structure differently than everyone else," County Legislator Pat Burke, D, said.

Burke said many of the proposals are meant to clear up outdated language or components of the law, but several would be significant changes. They include allowing the county to foreclose on houses after property taxes are delinquent for one year, as opposed to two years, moving forward the deadline for tax collections and also lowering the interest rate on delinquent taxes.

"I described it as punitive and it's clearly wrong. The rest of the state's at 12 percent and we're at 18 percent. So people who aren't able to pay their taxes on time, it can really snowball them," Burke said.

There is bipartisan consensus on parts of the proposal, like the foreclosure component which the county believes will help curb its so-called zombie house problems. But when it comes to the interest rate, for instance, County Legislature Minority Leader Joe Lorigo, C, said it could lead to a $5 million revenue hole next year.

"The fees are also shared with municipalities and school districts, so those municipalities and school districts will also see about a third reduction in what they're collecting through those fees on an annual basis," Lorigo said.

He said the County Executive's Office drafted the changes without notifying him. Town leaders expressed the same concerns.

"We just got this on our desk yesterday at a supervisor summit meeting that I host in Elma once a month and one of the supervisors laid it on the table and said, 'Did you know about this?' Nobody did," Elma Town Supervisor Denny Powers, R, said.

Burke agreed there wasn't great communication about the legislation but said that's why the County Legislature held an informational meeting on Wednesday. The municipalities are asking to slow down the process but proponents like Burke said there's a sense of urgency because the state Legislature, which adjourns June 20, has to pass the bill.

The assembly is currently waiting on a resolution from the County Legislature and there is an equivalent state Senate bill as well.