County Commission Debates Tax Break For New Highland Park Affordable Housing
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
The County Commission on Wednesday discussed a PILOT (Payment in Lieu of Taxes) tax abatement for the 47-unit Mai Bell II at 1715 Union Ave. The vote will be next Wednesday.
Commissioner Tim Boyd said the county cannot continue to give developers PILOTs with a possible property tax increase looming. He said, "I'm looking at the aggregate amount of tax breaks that this commission has approved over the years. Sometimes the county mayor is going to ask for a tax increase."
Noting that the City Council already approved it, he said that would not affect the county vote. He said if the county did not go along, it would raise rent costs $30 per month, which he said should not be a large issue for most renters.