City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: MARCH 6, 2019
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER /s/
DOCKET TITLE:
TITLE
Introduction and First Reading. Passage on First Reading of an Ordinance to amend Tax Relief and Tax Deferral, Section 3-2-161 (Definitions), Section 3-2-164 (Administration by City Manager), Section 3-2-165 (Procedure for Claim), and Section 3-2-166 (Calculation of Amount; Limitation), of the Code of the City of Alexandria, Virginia.
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ISSUE: Consideration of an ordinance to:
1) Amend and reordain City Code Sections 3-2-161, 3-2-164, 3-2-165, and
3-2-166;
2) Expand the tax deferral program for elderly and disabled applicants;
3) Grant a longer application period for hardship circumstances;
4) Limit tax relief and deferral to a maximum of 1 acre of land; and,
5) Clarify that the program is administered by the Department of Finance.
RECOMMENDATION: That City Council pass the proposed ordinance (Attachment 2) on first reading on March 12, and schedule it for public hearing, second reading and final passage on March 16, 2019. Because of the timing of the communication and application process and the minimal fiscal impact for FY 2020, staff recommends these changes be put in place prior to FY 2020 formal budget adoption on May 1.
DISCUSSION: As presented to City Council on February 19, 2019, the City Manager's proposed budget for FY 2020 includes an expansion of the tax deferral program for elderly and disabled applicants. Below is the existing program which offers a combination of relief and deferral, depending upon the applicant's income:
Code Amendment and Tax Deferral Expansion
The proposed ordinance amendment would expand the program to allow qualifying applicants with incomes ranging between $72,000 and $100,000 to defer their...
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