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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1989-02-02 89-93 RESOLVELun Cate 2-13e BOL u Item No. 89-93 hem/Subject: RESOLVE, Supporting Property Tax Reform Responsible Depanmerelty Manager Commentary: The Maine Municipal A.sewiation has retryested that the City consider adopting the attached Resolve in support of property tax reform. I have attached a copy of a letter from the NMA discussing this issue for your review and information. It should be rated that this Resolution does not really specify the nature of the comprehensive property her reform which is being sought. Clearly, a great deal of work retains to be done both at the local level and statewide to determine what no =at appropriate reforms might be. the intent of the Resolution, hoxaver, as I understand it, is to attempt to draw attention to more major reforms than simply tinkering with the existing System. I anticipate bringing this Resolution before the City's Property Tax .Commission and the Community Relations Committee prior to presenting it to the Council m Monday night. I£, for any reason, this cannot be acwiplished by then,'I would simply ask that this be referred to Community Relations prior to final action. Dep,2sr's Need Manager's Comments: - Cay Afenagn Associated Information: Letter from Maine Municipal Association and Resolve Attached Budget Approval: N/Apmenre O;,ruv Legal Approval: Ci Soliumr ' Introduce! For O passage Q First Reading Page _ of— ❑Referral 89-93 Assigned to Councilor Saxl, February 13, 1989 CITY OF BANGOR (TITLE) a�llpp" Rapportin- Property Tax Reform By Us OUR coma d the alg of Bangor: a Lven. WHEREAS Property Taxes statewide have risen significantly during the last _ ten years, and are a concern to the citizens of our community; and, WHEREAS Property Taxes are the most regressive taxes because people earning, less income must pay a larger share of their income on Property Taxes than do people with higher i and people cannot afford to pay Property Taxes which consume an ever increasing share of their income; and, WHEREAS targeted relief via the "circuit breaker" or similar rebate programa which are intended to help those people least able to afford property Taxes are important, they do not help stabilize escalating Property Tax bills or help local governments fund necessary services; and, WHEREAS excessive rn Property Taxes are hurting Maine's a and business climate as well asthe ability of local government to provide critical services and the property tax is an outdated form of taxation that can no longer meet the demands of funding local government, but it still remains the primary source of revenue for Maine municipalities; and, WHEREAS there is a STATEWIDE tax revolt brewing which could result i tax or spending caps which would hurt the ability of municipalities to provide the vital services ary to guarantee good government and the public's health, safety, andnwelfare; and, WHEREAS we believe Maim should move toward a more equitable tax system which places less emphasis on the regressive property tax, and which addresses long term reform - rather than offering stop -gap, short term relief, NOW. THEREFORE, HE IT RESOLVED that the City of Bangor endorses legis- lation and efforts to achieve comprehensive property tax reform. It is also directed that copies of this Resolution be sent to our Senator(s) and Representative(s) t0 the 114th Legislature and to the Governor of the State of Maine. The above Resolution was adopted by an affirmative vote on , 1989 at a duly called meeting of the legislative body of the City of Mary E. Sullivan Council Chair 89-93 RE S 0L VE Supporting property Tax £form In City Cquncil F bu 13,1989 Passed ty G MMaine Municipal 89-93 Association c0%%AJNV DRIVE ALG -GTA "NF 04330 (.2)])6138!28 TO: Pay Municipal officials FROM: Gary C. Wood, Director, State 6 Federal Relations DATE: February 1, 1989 RE: Resolution Supporting Property Tax Reform SPA is putting together a statewide coalition to support legislation leading to comprehensive property tax reform. Please include the enclosed solution a r article in your annual town meeting • ant o n you council ags agenda. The language below the line n r the bottom does not or to have to the article. me Town or city Clark should n e that language after the resolution passes to verify the copies sent to the legislature. we moat have a lot of solutions passed to convince members of both parties and the Governor about the need for property tax reform as opposed to targeted relief. Please feel free to change the zasolution t reflect you municipality's experience with the property tax and the citizens' feelings about it. Those of you who have anual town meetings, and who have already sent a warrant to the printers to be placed 1n your annual report, can legally get this resolution before your town meeting by adding it as aarticle to the original warrant before you post attested copies prior to the town meeting. In such a ryon should have copies of the resolution made up and brought to the towmeeting me that the people c read them before they vote. You should also notify your moderator that this article is included on the official warrant but not in the warrant that was placed in your annual report. For those municipalities that hold an annual meeting and that have already posted the official warrant ant calling that meeting, you c add this article to the town meeting agenda by creating a supplementary warrant, made out and signed exactly the same as your original warrant but without the original articles. You must then Include the resolution article on the supplementary warrant. You will then used to post attested copies of your supplementary warrant next to the attested copies of the original warrant. Me return on the supplementary warrant must be filled out by the person posting it. You want the original warrant ant to stay in your. town. After town meeting, your clerk should fill out the verification clause and owed attested espies of the passed resolution directly to the Governor, your State Senator or Senators, your State Representatives and Paid. Prior to Lawn meeting, you will receive additional material to support the coalition movement for property tax reform. et material will include: Petitions to be circulated at the town meeting; a copy of the coalition's comprehensive legislative package and an outline that explains Its content; a sign-up sheet for volunteers willing t work for property tax reform whatever else we can come up with to help the effort. Say Municipal Officials February 1, 1989 Page 2 The coalition needs to establish networks to provide various forms of assistance, such as telephone calls, lettere to legislature and direct lobbying in Augusta. Vow will be contacted in Nene r future by Uthy Walker_, a former member of I 's Executive Committee, who is coordinating the statewide effort to achieve property tax reform. Please give her an much help as you can. One of the steps that you can take now to help us is to think of individuals in your municipality, including yourself, or groups who would be good local coordinators or regional field captains. Send us their names, mailing addresses and telephone numbers. Thanks for your help. Call me, Pat Finnigan or Lynn Mitchell at leen, (1-800-652-8106 / 62}8618) if you have any questions.