Tonight’s city council meeting touched on several topics.  The city presented some highlights of what has been accomplished in the last year.  They also had a nice goodbye to outgoing council member Debbie Girvan.

Then onto some active discussion on what non-profit properties qualify for City Council granted real estate tax exemptions.  Turns out that a currently operating transitional home for women from the regional jail does get tax exemptions.  At the same time, the Natioanal Slavery Museum will have to go to the commissioner of revenue to get any exemption, because the city code requires the land to be currently operated as the museum.  There may be an opportunity to get the exemption yet, since state code does allow for all property owned by a museum to be exempt, possibly without being used.  For the museum, they saw their tax bill increase almost $40k per year with last years re-assessment.

Voters need to be aware that the place you file absentee ballots is moving to a temporary location in the executive center for the Nov elections.  This gets them out of the cramped (and non ADA compliant) lobby of the city offices.

The city tax rate is going to go up 3 cents from $0.53 per $100 to $0.56.  There was some discussion on why some members desired a $0.58 to maintain more services.  As it stands, the tax rate results in a smaller overall budget this year, which will result in reduction in staff or services.  The city is sticking to trying to give a raise to those remaining employees.  The budget has some pitfalls for next year, meaning the city needs to find additional revenues, or else they are going to have to increase taxes again since this year’s budget dips into some reserve fund balances.  Those funds will not be there next year, making it tougher if revenues do not pick up the loss.  The increase in taxes results in an additional $120 per year on a $400,000 tax.  In today’s expenses, that’s what, about 2 fillups at the gas station?  We’ll have to see what services we end up loosing, and see if anyone recognizes the difference.

One more note on budget, the city’s 08 revenues are coming in, and the city is coming up short on real estate taxes, whereas some good news on closing the gap on revenues with emissions tax, ppt, sales tax.  The city is also looking at reinstating some credit card and administrative fees.  Look for these if you use your credit card to pay the city treasurer, or if you have a delinquent taxes. 

Delinquent personal property tax enforcement may be through the use of tire boots.  Not much more here except that the city is looking at a system where an owner can pay by phone and get a code to unlock the boot.  Can we say boot trophies?

Other news of interest from the city is that city has acquired 2 out of 3 parcels needed for the City Waterfront Park.  Work is continuing to acquire this property using funds set aside through a bond offering last year.