Vacantpropertytaxrate-fy2010budget

Dear Neighbors, On July 31, the Council approved an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2010 Budget Support Act of 2009 that would lower the vacant property tax from $10 to $5 per $100 of assessed property value. This amendment will become law, if again approved by the Council, on September 22. There is no doubt that the higher tax rate successfully encouraged many vacant property owners to make productive use of their properties, and thus I am reluctant to support any tax decrease. However, some of my colleagues recognize that this higher tax rate may unfairly affect vacant properties that are not blighted and thus pose a lesser harm to neighborhoods. I believe that all vacant properties harm our neighborhoods but believe that the Council should attempt to reflect the distinction between vacant and blighted problems. I am currently drafting an alternative amendment that would attempt to define this distinction. Due to various circumstances, including budget negotiations and summer recess, the Council was not able to hold a hearing on this amendment. However, as Chairperson of the Committee that oversees the agency responsible for administering the vacant tax laws, I recognize that all residents are touched by this issue. Thus, before the Council finally approves an amendment, I will be holding an informal meeting to discuss the current law, the pending amendment, and alternative proposals. The meeting will take place next Wednesday, September 16 at Emery Recreation Center, 5801 Georgia Avenue NW, from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. If you cannot attend the meeting, I invite you to submit written comments to Rob Hawkins, legislative counsel, at [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. Comments should be received no later than 5:30 p.m., Monday, September 14.