Presenter
Presented by Mr. Udin
AS AMENDED
Title
Resolution authorizing the Mayor or the Director of the Finance Department to solicit requests for Proposals for assessment of tax exempt real property in the City of Pittsburgh.
Body
WHEREAS, in fiscal year 2002 total tax exempt real property in the City of Pittsburgh would produce an additional $64.9 Million in City property taxes; and
WHEREAS, current assessed values of tax exempt real property are inaccurate; and
WHEREAS, before fiscal year 2002, 38% of the City's overall assessed value was attributable to tax- exempt properties, but following the year 2002 reassessment, this percentage dropped to 30%; and
WHEREAS, PGH 21, a panel of Community leaders and financial leaders appointed by the Mayor to study the City's finances and to suggest a plan for the future, recommended that tax-exempt properties be accurately assessed to better explain the impact of tax-exempt properties to a variety of audiences; and
WHEREAS, since the General Assembly of Pennsylvania passed Act 55 of 1997, the City of Pittsburgh has been unable to obtain Payment in Lieu of Tax (PILOT) agreements from tax-exempt property owners; and
WHEREAS, accurately assessing tax exempt property will help the City make its case to the Governor and the General Assembly for legislation reimbursing the City and other municipalities in Pennsylvania for property tax loss resulting from tax-exempt real property;
Be it resolved by the Council of the City of Pittsburgh as follows:
Section 1. The Mayor or the Director of the Finance Department are hereby authorized to solicit requests for proposals for assessment of tax exempt real property in the City of Pittsburgh, and they are further authorized to identify potential funding sources to pay for the services. The Mayor, the Director of the Mayor's Office of the Management and Budget and/or The Director of the Finance Department are requested to prepare a report detailing the cost to the City of providing services to tax exempt properties.
NOTE: I do hereby certify that the foregoing Ordinance duly engrossed and certified, was delivered by me to the Mayor for his approval of disapproval and that the Mayor failed to approve or disapprove the same, whereupon it became law without his approval, under the provisons of the Act of the Assembly in such case made and provided.
Linda M. Johnson-Wasler
Clerk of Council