* WARNING: THIS IS AN UNOFFICIAL, INTRODUCTORY COPY OF THE BILL.
THE OFFICIAL COPY CONSIDERED BY THE CITY COUNCIL IS THE FIRST READER COPY.
INTRODUCTORY*
CITY OF BALTIMORE
COUNCIL BILL R
(Resolution)
Introduced by: Councilmember Henry
A RESOLUTION ENTITLED
A COUNCIL RESOLUTION concerning
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Request for State Action - Higher Vacant Property Tax Rate
FOR the purpose of calling on the General Assembly and Governor to enact enabling legislation which would allow the Mayor and City Council to develop a program that would allow vacant properties to be taxed at a higher rate more in line with the true costs they inflict on their host communities.
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Recitals
Baltimore’s longstanding vacant property problem is well known. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a magic wand that we can wave to make this problem disappear. Over the years many approaches have been tried with varying, but limited, degrees of success.
However, there is a simple action that could be taken at the State level that would help immensely, and that, at least, would take away some of the existing immunity from having to pay for the true costs vacant properties inflict on our community that these properties’ owners currently enjoy.
It is well established that one of the reasons vacant properties are a problem is the fact that they drain a far higher amount from the City’s coffers than they contribute in property taxes. Raising the property tax rate on decrepit vacant properties would be an easy way to address this imbalance.
Vacant, deteriorating, buildings often have little to no property value, m...
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