LEGISLATIVE, FINANCE AND ADMINISTRATION COMMITTEE
The Legislative, Finance, and Administration Committee meeting was held on July 11, 2005, at 5:30 p.m. with Chairman Salters presiding. Members present were Mr. Hogan, Mr. Slavin, Mr. Shevock, and Mr. Shelton. Members of Council present were Mr. Carey, Mr. Sadusky, and Council President Williams. Mayor Speed was also present.
AGENDA ADDITIONS/DELETIONS
Mr. Hogan moved for approval of the agenda, seconded by Mr. Shelton and unanimously carried.
Proposed Ordinance Amendments - Relief of the Real Estate Transfer Tax for First Time Home Buyers and Abatement of Real Property Taxes in the Downtown Area
During their Regular Meeting of March 28, 2005, members of Council approved the Parks, Recreation, and Community Enhancement Committee’s recommendations regarding a homeownership initiative for the downtown area. This approval required the development of ordinances that would extend the first time home buyer transfer tax exemption to the seller in the target area and to provide real estate tax abatement for home purchasers in the target area. The target area has been defined as Mary Street to Loockerman Street and Governors Avenue to West Street.
Members were provided proposed ordinance amendments as prepared by City Solicitor Rodriguez. It was noted that the draft ordinance amendments will require correcting to reflect the revised Sections to correspond with the New Code of Ordinances.
Responding to Mr. Hogan, members concurred that there should be a sunset provision to allow members the opportunity to revisit this subject to determine if it is a program they wish to continue or if it should be discontinued.
Chapter 102 - Taxation, Article III - Realty Transfer Tax, Section 102-71 - Definitions, Paragraph (a)(3) {Old Code Section 19.5-19 (9)}
Mr. Hogan moved to add a sentence to Paragraph (a)(3) of Section 102-71, as follows: “This homebuyer’s exemption is to be effective from the date of adoption to August 1, 2010”. The motion was seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.
Mr. Hogan moved to recommend adoption of the ordinance amending Section 102-71, Paragraph (a)(3), as amended, (Attachment #1), seconded by Mr. Slavin and unanimously carried.
Chapter 102 - Taxation, Article IV - Abatement of Real Estate Taxes, Section 102-111 - Purpose and Section 102-113 - Qualifications, Paragraph (d) {Old Code Sections 19.5-31 and 19.5-33(e)}
Mayor Speed noted that, in drafting the ordinance, there was a typographical error in Paragraph (d) of Section 102-113 that should be corrected by replacing “twenty-five percent (25%)” with “seventy-five percent (75%)” and by replacing “seventy-five percent (75%)” with “twenty-five percent (25%)”. This correction has been confirmed by City Solicitor Rodriguez and is a true reflection of the Parks, Recreation and Community Enhancement Committee’s recommendation.
Mr. Hogan reiterated the need to include a sunset clause and suggested that paragraph (d) of Section 102-113 be amended by including a sentence that would to read as follows: “Application for this program will cease on August 1, 2010”. To clarify the intent, Mayor Speed suggested that the additional wording read as follows: “To be eligible for this program, application must be received by the City prior to August 1, 2010”.
Mr. Hogan moved to add the following sentence to Paragraph (d) of Section 102-113: “In order to be eligible for this program, application must be received by the City of Dover prior to August 1, 2010”. The motion was seconded by Mr. Shevock and unanimously carried.
Mr. Hogan moved to recommend adoption of the ordinance amending Section 102-111 (Attachment #2) and Paragraph (d) of Section 102-113, as corrected and amended (Attachment #3). The motion was seconded by Mr. Shelton and unanimously carried.
E-Government Strategic Plan Presentation
Members reviewed an E-Government Strategic Plan for the City of Dover that was developed by Mr. Callan, Information Technology Director. He reminded members that the City of Dover Internet site won an award for being among the top 10 municipal sites for 2003. The E-Government Strategic Plan provides the City’s goals, current status, methodology, future initiatives, measurement of success and its purpose is to communicate how the City can continue to expand and advance Internet based services. It was noted that the Plan includes information regarding on-line payment method options. Mr. Callan explained that in order for Dover to provide an on-line payment method for a growing list of services, the City must determine what methods of payment the City will accept.
Staff recommended endorsement of the E-Government Strategic Plan which provides a direction for continuing the expansion of the City’s services on the Internet.
Mr. Slavin moved to recommend acceptance and endorsement of the E-Government Strategic Plan as recommended by staff, seconded by Mr. Shelton and unanimously carried.
Mr. Shelton moved for adjournment, seconded by Mr. Hogan and unanimously carried.
Meeting Adjourned at 6:06 P.M.
Respectfully submitted,
Reuben Salters
Chairman
RS/jg
S:ClerksOfficeAgendas&MinutesCommittee-Minutes20057-11-2005-LF&A.wpd
Attachments
Attachment #1 - Chapter 102 - Taxation, Article III - Realty Transfer Tax, Section 102-71 - Definitions, Paragraph (a)(3)
Attachment #2 - Chapter 102 - Taxation, Article IV - Abatement of Real Estate Taxes, Section 102-111 - Purpose
Attachment #3 - Chapter 102 - Taxation, Article IV - Abatement of Real Estate Taxes, Section 102-113 - Qualifications, Paragraph (d)