Okay. And so here we have a situation where the Board of Revision of Taxes, in effect, ends up lowering the estimate of real estate tax level because of its own actions. But we're now faced with a situation where we're 108 3/19/03 - FINANCE - BILL 030014 told here in City Council, we have no ability to do anything about the assessments, about the actual tax that people pay. We're now caught in a, well, you can't do anything in the course of the current Fiscal Year. While we know on a daily basis people are being told over at the BRT that their actual tax due is going to decrease during the current Fiscal Year, but the City Council is rendered somehow, at least in the view of some, as powerless to do anything, while the BRT is affecting City revenue estimates on a daily basis.
Councilman, if I may respond. You understand our process, so I'm not going to get into that. We affect valuation. It does have the impact on the revenue, as you suggest. Just to make it clear, however, you and I aren't disagreeing on anything.
I just wanted to make the record clear, because you were saying that we at the table have -- whatever our disagreements -- you and I agree. I think absolutely what you're saying should be the case. I think every year you ought to look at the millage. You ought to project what is 109 3/19/03 - FINANCE - BILL 030014 needed, and whatever it is to somehow to figure our time tables to work better. As long as we can do that within the first class county assessment, I'd be happy to do that. I think it makes some sense to do it that way. But I just wanted to be real clear for the record that I'm not disagreeing with what you say.
I think probably the one big fear about the annual recalculation of the rates is that one year that potentially comes along where the values are less than the year before, which would then put us in a position where we may have to raise rates. MS. Kamerdeiner: Councilman, if I may. The estimates that we do during the course of the year takes into account an expectation that some of those who appeal to the Board of Revision of Taxes will be, in fact, successful. And so the number that's here should have already taken that into account. And so I wanted to make sure that you understood that that was already a factor in those revised estimates.
That's certainly smart. And the history has been that certainly many 110 3/19/03 - FINANCE - BILL 030014 people who do appeal go through that particular process because the Board is respectful. They pay attention to what's going on. And when they think they've made a mistake, they're mature enough to recognize it and make the adjustment. So I do appreciate the testimony. We'll continue the struggle on this particular issue. Mr. Fader, I continue to appreciate your advice. Thank you very much. Thank you, Madam Chair.
You're welcome. Any other questions from Members of the Committee? (No response.)
All right. Having said that, we are happy to make all testimony with regard to these issues part of this record. This will end our public hearing part of our meeting today. - - - 111 COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA PUBLIC MEETING COMMITTEE ON FINANCE - - - March 19, 2003 - - - Public Meeting conducted by the Committee on Finance, held in Room 696, City Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on the above date, to consider action on the following: BILLS 020647, 020813, 030014. - - - PRESENT: COUNCILWOMAN JANNIE BLACKWELL, Chair COUNCILMAN FRANK DICICCO COUNCILMAN JAMES KENNEY COUNCILMAN MICHAEL NUTTER COUNCILMAN BRIAN O'NEILL COUNCILMAN ANGEL ORTIZ COUNCILWOMAN BLONDELL REYNOLDS BROWN COUNCILWOMAN MARIAN TASCO - - - 112 3/19/03 - FINANCE - PUBLIC MEETING
We will now enter into the stated meeting. Councilman DiCicco, we will ask you to make a motion that we submit an amendment for Bill 6 No. 020813.
Madam Chair, we have since changed our position on that. After having conversations with Mr. Fader and others, there will no amendment at this time for that Bill.
Yes. Madam Chair, I move that Bill No. 020813 be reported out of this Committee with a favorable recommendation. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Bill No. 020813 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation. All in favor? (Aye.)
And so it is 113 3/19/03 - FINANCE - PUBLIC MEETING passed. We will now entertain a motion, Councilman Nutter, for Bill No. 020647.
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Bill 020647 be reported out this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next Session. (Duly seconded.)
It has been moved and seconded that Bill No. 020647 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation and, furthermore, that a suspension of the Rules be entertained so that it may be considered at our next Session of Council. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And so this Bill is passed out of Committee. Councilman Nutter. 114 3/19/03 - FINANCE - PUBLIC MEETING
Thank you, Madam Chair. I move that Bill 030014 be reported out of in this Committee with a favorable recommendation, and a further recommendation that the Rules of Council be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next Session. (Duly seconded.)
Thank you. It has been moved and seconded that Bill No. 030014 be reported out of Committee with a favorable recommendation, and also that the Rules be suspended so as to permit first reading at our next Session of Council. All in favor? (Aye.)
The ayes have it. And so it is passed. We thank you all for coming and we'll see you on the next go-round. Thank you, Members of the Committee, as well. (Council adjourned at 1:20 p.m.) 115 C E R T I F I C A T I O N I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing proceedings of the Council of the City of Philadelphia of March 19, 2003, were reported fully and accurately by me, and that this is a correct transcript of the same. RE: COMMITTEE ON FINANCE ___________________________ Lisa C. Bradley, RPR and Notary Public