Monthly Meeting
Thursday, February 12, 2003
Berklee School of Music
921 Boylston Street , Room 311
Opposite Hynes Convention Center
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
AGENDA
Property taxes: What is the real
problem?
Why are residential taxes soaring? What are the long-term
solutions?
What should we be doing?
Reference:
- Why are residential property taxes so high? Action you can take now - 2/12/2004
- Questions for discussion: Property Tax Issues - 2/12/2004
- New Tax Legislation (1/16/2004): "Chapter 3 of the Acts of 2004: An Act Relative to Property Tax Classification in Cities and Towns"
Guest speakers:
John Avault, BRA Research Staff, and
Richard Carlson, Assessing Department
will help us discuss:
- What did the recent legislation do for us?
- Why do commercial and residential tax assessing methods differ?
- Why must the residential/commercial split of the total tax burden remain around 30%/70% regardless of the amount of commercial development added to the city?
- What is the Mayor doing about the overall overhaul he said was necessary beyond the "band-aid" bill?
- What are alternative ways to redistribute the tax burden?
- What should we do about non-profit tax exemptions and development tax breaks?
- What are other sources of City revenue that could reduce the dependence on property tax?
- What are the powers of the Mayor, the Assessing Department, the BRA, the City Council and the State Commissioner of Revenue in addressing this tax issue?
- What can residents do to influence taxation procedures?
Free and open to the public. Everyone is welcome -- come and bring your friends and neighbors!
For further information, cal 617-421-0835