Minutes 07/24/2018 - Laserfiche WebLink

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July 24, 2018 Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will make the necessary budget adjustment. In addition, the Chief of Police or his designee will provide grant management and oversight. Motion by Mr. Clark, and seconded by Ms. Lucas-Burke, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE ACCEPTING A BYRNE JUSTICE ASSISTANCE GRANT IN THE AMOUNT OF $79,830 FROM THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE AND APPROPRIATING SAID FUNDS IN THE FY 2019 GRANTS FUND FOR USE BY THE PORTSMOUTH POLICE DEPARTMENT.” Ayes: Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Smith, Whitaker, Rowe Nays: None 18 - 288 - Adoption of an ordinance authorizing a real estate tax overpayment refund to Dorothy S. Hudson. Background:  The Portsmouth Department of Social Services administers the tax relief program for the City of Portsmouth. The two components of this program are designed to either reduce or freeze the Real Estate Tax liability for qualified elderly and/or disabled homeowners.  Staff review has determined that an internal error was made in calculating the tax relief for Ms. Hudson. Discussion:  Section 58.1-3990 of the Code of Virginia (1950) allows the governing body of a city to provide, by ordinance, for the refund of any local taxes erroneously paid. It limits the refund to a time period that is no more than three years after the last day of the tax year that taxes were assessed.  The City of Portsmouth has passed such an ordinance, Section 35-14 of the Portsmouth City Code (2006), which grants relief to taxpayers who have erroneously paid real estate taxes. It limits relief to three prior tax years. The ordinance also states that if the error was on the part of any officer or employee of the city, interest on the amount erroneously paid will be paid to the taxpayer along with the refund, at a rate of ten percent annum from the date the tax was paid.  In accordance with the budget, claims shall be paid from the same source of funding as the original payment. Financial Impact:  The City will reimburse Ms. Hudson from the General Fund in the amount of $3,787.32 plus ten percent interest from the date of the applicable tax payment. Recommended Action:  Adoption of the ordinance. Next Steps Following Council Action:  The Finance Department will take the necessary steps to issue the refund. Motion by Mr. Moody, and seconded by Mr. Smith, to adopt the following ordinance, and was adopted by the following vote: “ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING A REAL ESTATE TAX OVERPAYMENT REFUND TO DOROTHY S. HUDSON.” Ayes: Clark, Lucas-Burke, Moody, Psimas, Smith, Whitaker, Rowe Nays: None