Minutes 11/14/1995 - Laserfiche WebLink

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November 14, I995 - CITY MANAGER'S REPORT 95-495 Letter from the City Manager recommending adoption of an ordinance to a~end Sections Cod~._ . "The City Treasurer has recommended several changes to the due dates of both the Personal Property and Real Estate Taxes to provide for more consistency and convenience for our citizens. The City Code Section 35-3 states that City taxes on personal property, except as provided under Section 35-9 of the Code and for machinery and tools, shall be paid on or before the 30th of June of the year in which such taxes are assessed. The Treasurer recommends changing the due date from June 30th to June 5th to allow for consistency with the other Hampton Roads cities' deadlines. There is currently confusion when people relocate their residence to or from Portsmouth. Also, this change will allow the City Treasurer additional time in the fiscal year to affect the collection of "current" taxes. A "Past Due" notice can be mailed immediately following the June 5th due date, thus allowing for~a higher collection rate. Additionally, the reporting of our delinquency statistics for Personal Property Taxes will be more accurately reported to the public. The Treasurer is also recommending changes in Sections 35-2 (a) and (b) of the City Code regarding Real Estate Taxes. Presently, Section 35-2 (a) states that City taxes on real estate for each fiscal year shall be due and payable during the year for which the same are assessed in four (4),equal installments as follows: One-fourth thereof on September 30th, one-fourth thereof on December 31st, one-fourth thereof on March 31st, and one-fourth thereof on June 5th of such year. The June 5th date does not allow the ninety day ~eriod between payments as in the other quarters. Therefore, the City Treasurer requests that the June 5th date be changed to June 30th to be consistent with the due dates of'the Other three quarters. Additionally, Section 35-2 (b) allows for an installment payment for Real Estate Taxes on June 5th for those persons qualifying as elderly or disabled. It is requested that this be changed to June 30th, as well. I concur with the recommendations of the City Treasurer and request your approval of these Code revisions to provide for more categorical consistency and convenience ~n these tax deadlines for our citizens." Motion by Mr. Robinett, and seconded by Mr. Martin, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: "ORDINANCE TO AMEND CHAPTER 35 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF PORTSMOUTH, VIRGINIA (1988) BY AMENDING SECTIONS 35-2(A) AND (B), 35-3, AND 35-6 THEREOF, PERTAINING TO TAXATION." Ayes: Clemons, Griffin, Hawks, Martin, Pitts, Robinett, Webb Nays: None