At Tuesday's meeting, City Councilor Kevin Jourdain made an impassioned speech on behalf of the city's seniors and working families and fought back a bold move to place an enormous new tax increase on homeowners.
Councilor Jourdain seconded the motion of Ward 2 City Councilor Diosdado Lopez for a residential rate of $14.25 per thousand of property value. The motion passed 8-7.
Besides Lopez and Jourdain, Councilors Pluta, Lisi, Whelihan, McGee, Tallman and Brunelle fought valiantly to protect the people. Several Councilors lead by Ward 3 Councilor Tony Keane, Ward 7 Councilor Jay O'Neill and Councilor At Large Patti Devine pushed to lower the taxes of the Holyoke Mall and the remaining commerical sector and shift that burden on the homeowners.
Councilor Jourdain in advocating the lower rate for homeowners emphasized that residential values, unlike the commerical, are still above market value and based on 2007 sales even though we all know what has happened to the housing market in 2008 and what will happen in 2009.
Jourdain also pointed out that in the midst of the worst economic downturn in 50 years with unemployment rampant, homeowners simply could not afford the approximately $200 a year increase the other side had planned for them.
Councilor Jourdain stated, "I wish taxes could stay fixed this year but the Mayor's decision to raise the tax levy by $2 million for the 9th year in a row has increased the size of the pie that needs to be sliced up for both homeowners and businesses to pay." The tax rates adopted by the Council under the Lopez/Jourdain proposal for 2009 are $14.24 Residential and $35.15 Commerical/Industrial/Personal Property. The new 2009 Home and Commerical Values are now available at the Assessor's Office for people who would like to calculate their 2009 bill. The Assessor's Office phone number is 322-5550 for more information.
