City of Alexandria, Virginia
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MEMORANDUM
DATE: OCTOBER 13, 2020
TO: THE HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF CITY COUNCIL
FROM: MARK B. JINKS, CITY MANAGER
DOCKET TITLE:
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Consideration of a resolution concerning the possible waiver in hardship circumstances of late payment penalties and interest for the second installment of tax year 2020 Real Estate Taxes. [ROLL-CALL VOTE]
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ISSUE: Consideration of a resolution concerning the possible waiver of late penalties and interest on the second installment of tax year 2020 Real Estate taxes in cases of COVID-19 hardship.
RECOMMENDATION: That Council adopt the attached resolution in regard to 2020 Real Estate taxes due on November 16, 2020, providing guidance to the Director of Finance to give hardship conditions favorable consideration in the review of applicable late payment penalty and interest waivers until March 1, 2020.
BACKGROUND: As of October 7, 2020, the City of Alexandria has experienced 3,938 cumulative cases of the novel Coronavirus, COVID-19, with 71 fatalities. Along with the medical crisis, the global pandemic has had an unprecedented impact on the economy, increasing unemployment and disrupting the conduct of normal business. In this context the attached resolution would provide added flexibility for property owners in the City otherwise required to pay the second installment of Real Estate Taxes for tax year 2020 on November 16, 2020 (the normal due date of November 15th falls on a Sunday this year). Several indicators of the current economic impact from the pandemic, along with supportive actions already enacted by Council, are presented in the resolution.
DISCUSSION: The second installment of 2020 Real Estate taxes are due to be paid on November 16, 2020. Failure to pay on time results in a penalty of 5% if not paid within 15 days, increasing to 10% if paid more than 15 days late. Interest is also c...
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