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File #: 191925    Version:
Type: Resolution Status: Passed
File created: 3/24/2020 In control: COMMON COUNCIL
On agenda: Final action: 4/14/2020
Effective date:    
Title: Substitute resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of legislation permitting municipal treasurers to slow the collection of property taxes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sponsors: ALD. COGGS, ALD. JOHNSON, ALD. LEWIS, ALD. DODD
Indexes: PROPERTY TAXES, STATE LEGISLATION
Date Ver.Action ByActionResultTallyAction DetailsMeeting DetailsVideo
4/23/20201 MAYOR SIGNED   Action details Meeting details Not available
4/14/20201 COMMON COUNCIL ADOPTED

Minutes note: Ald. Dodd asked to be added as a co-sponsor at the Council meeting.
Pass15:0 Action details Meeting details Not available
4/8/20201 JUDICIARY & LEGISLATION COMMITTEE RECOMMENDED FOR ADOPTION

Minutes note: Virtually appearing: Ald. Coggs - Sponsor Kim Montgomery - IRD Ald. Johnson requested to be added as Co-Sponsor. There were no objections.
Pass5:0 Action details Meeting details Video Video
3/24/20200 COMMON COUNCIL ASSIGNED TO   Action details Meeting details Not available

Number

191925

Version

SUBSTITUTE  1

Reference

180898

Sponsor

ALD. COGGS, JOHNSON, LEWIS AND DODD

 

Title

Substitute resolution directing the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of legislation permitting municipal treasurers to slow the collection of property taxes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Analysis

This substitute resolution directs the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division to seek introduction and passage of legislation permitting municipal treasurers to slow the collection of property taxes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 

Body

 

Whereas, On March 23, 2020, the Commissioner of Health issued an Order imposing a city-wide “Stay-at-Home” requirement to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 under the authority of s. 252.03, Wis. Stats.; and

 

Whereas, On March 24, 2020, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, under the authority of s. 252.02(3) and (6) and at the direction of Governor Tony Evers, issued “Emergency Order #12 Safer at Home Order”; and

 

Whereas, In compliance with the emergency orders in response to the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, the City Treasurer’s Office is closed until further notice to prevent the spread of the virus; and

 

Whereas, Taxpayers can pay their property taxes online, by mail, or in the drop box adjacent to the Treasurer’s Office during this period; and

 

Whereas, US Bank is suspending the pay-at-the-bank option for property tax payments until further notice; and

 

Whereas, State Statute governs the billing and collection of property taxes as well as delinquent tax interest and penalties; and

 

Whereas, The Statutes currently recognize no exceptions for assessment and municipal treasurers have no authority on their own to delay property tax billing nor to waive tax account interest and penalties; and

 

Whereas, No payment extensions or waiving of interest and penalties are permitted at this time by State Statute; and

 

Whereas, It is anticipated residents will experience economic hardship as a result of the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic and emergency orders including, but not limited to, increased healthcare costs, reduced work hours, reduced pay, or job loss; and

 

Whereas, It is anticipated the pandemic and pandemic response will result in an increase in tax delinquencies, which will not only burden the local economy but also City government resources in pursuing those delinquencies; and

 

Whereas, Hard-pressed small businesses deeply impacted by this pandemic as well as individual property taxpayers would benefit from the relief of not having to pay interest and penalties on property tax accounts when many are facing the loss of income due to businesses being temporarily closed and employees being furloughed; now, therefore, be it

 

Resolved, By the Common Council of the City of Milwaukee, that the Department of Administration - Intergovernmental Relations Division is directed to seek introduction and passage of State legislation that permits municipal treasurers to slow the collection of property taxes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic; and, be it

 

Further Resolved, That the City Clerk shall send copies of this resolution to the City’s delegation in the State Legislature and, be it

 

Further Resolved, That File Number 180898 is amended by inserting the following item in the document attached to the file and identified as “AMENDED 2019-2020 State Legislative Detailed Proposals and Key Issues”:

 

 

Judiciary & Legislation

Common Council

Permit municipal treasurers to slow the collection of property taxes in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

 .

 

Requestor

 

Drafter

LRB 175971-2

Tea B. Norfolk

3/27/2020