Just a little fun- Are there good reasons for some PILOTS? I want to start a discussion thread about PILOTS to get the focus of this blog back onto topics that really matter to our city. One of those topics is the ever controversial use of PILOTS or payments in lieu of taxes. Basically a developer will make an arrangement with the City to make certain payments directly for a development project to the municipality and bypass county and school tax obligations. Some say that in theory the City should get more revenue but the reality to date has been something far less than that promise. Here are a series of questions to get the discussion going.....
- Are current PILOTS as implemented by both the Roberts and Russo Administrations fair to other taxpayers footing the bill?
- Was the extension of the Church Square Towers PILOT for another 10 years in the best interests of the fiscal health of the City or does the need to keep the status-quo more important for social and community reasons?
- Should PILOTS ever be used for new development in the City?
- If so, what should they be used for?
- Should PILOTS ever be used for residential or only commercial development?
- Should PILOTS be used for Senior or lower income housing?
- Do PILOTS hurt the City's financial present and future?
- What is the ideal length for PILOT if it must be done? 5 Years? 10 Years? 30 Years? 99 years?
Editors Rules: Keep this on topic and no mention of personalities other than those who are running for office or have held office and voted on this topic.
