Board of Aldermen — 3/21/17 Page 24
Alderman Cookson
It has a lot of support, and | appreciate everybody signing up for this. | think it’s a worthy piece of legislation and |
believe it should be passed. | know that Mayor Donchess has requested that we table it this evening. I’m not
going to make that motion right now, but | wanted to be cognizant of Mayor Donchess’ request and at least allow
us discussion before we decide to table if that’s what the aldermen motion.
Alderman Siegel
I’m not making the motion either because | don’t want to shut down discussion, but | absolutely support it, and |
think it is the right thing to do.
MOTION BY ALDERMAN DEANE TO HOLD
ON THE QUESTION
Alderman Deane
That’s debatable.
Alderman Clemons
From what | understand this has passed the Senate. When would it pass the House and then when would it
take effect if it passed, the amendment that would allow us to do this in increments?
Attorney Bolton
| don’t know when the House is going to vote on it. | don’t know anyone who does know. But as it is written
currently if it does pass the House, and if the Governor signs it, it takes effect immediately.
President McCarthy
When does this legislation in its current form, what tax year does it affect first?
Attorney Bolton
If it were to be passed tonight it would affect the tax year beginning April 1, 2017. If itis passed after April 1, it
would affect the tax year beginning April 1, 2018. That’s in the state law. It’s nothing that can be amended at
this level to change it. The other thing worth pointing out is what you are allowed to do if the version that has
currently passed the Senate and will eventually be before the House allows is for a 3-year phase in. It doesn’t
tell you how to do a three-year phase in. It doesn’t necessarily have to be in equal amounts, but it does not
provide for any longer term. Presumably you could do it on a shorter term, but it basically says a three-year
phase in.
Alderman Clemons
Under the way that the state law is written, would this be allowed to be retroactive? If we were to table this and
it passes the legislature, are we able to retroactively say that veterans for this upcoming tax year would be able
to take advantage of the 1/3 say that we were going to give them as a tax advantage?
Attorney Bolton
You could make it retroactive to that effect because the applicable provision says it shall take effect within the
town or city on the date set by the governing body or in the tax year beginning April 1*' following its adoption,
