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outdated form of taxation that can no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
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ALG -GTA "NF 04330
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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.