City Council:
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE
CITY OF MOUNT VERNON REQUESTING THAT
THE STATE SENATE AND ASSEMBLY INTRODUCE
AND ADOPT LEGISLATION MODIFYING CHAPTER 783
OF THE LAWS OF 1974 CONCERNING THE
OFFERING OF INSTALLMENT PAYMENT PLANS
WHEREAS, by Chapter 783 of the Laws of 1974, the State of New York authorized the City of Mount Vernon (the "City") to adopt, by local law, provisions related to the commencement of foreclosure of tax liens by proceeding in rem (the "Special State Law"); and
WHEREAS, the City then adopted Local Law No. 7 of 1976, effective October 28, 1976, which was enacted pursuant to the authority contained in the Special State Law (the "Local Statute"); and
WHEREAS, the Local Statute permits the City to offer installment payment plans to taxpayers, but their duration is limited to two years and requires a 25% downpayment; and
WHEREAS, the COVID-19 pandemic had a serious, adverse financial impact on many of the City's residents; and
WHEREAS, real property tax is an area where the City's residents are struggling to keep up and many have now fallen into foreclosure status; and
WHEREAS, many City residents and real property owners are now in danger of losing their homes or primary assets; and
WHEREAS, as currently drafted, the Special State Law does not give the City the flexibility to offer installment payment plans that are comparable to neighboring jurisdictions, such as the City of New York and the City of Yonkers; and
WHEREAS, for example, the City of New York installment payment plans require a 10- 15% downpayment, the frequency of payments is quarterly, and the maximum term of the agreement is five (5), eight (8), or twelve (12) years depending on the type of property; and
WHEREAS, the City of Yonkers installment payment plans require no initial downpayment, the frequency of payments is "periodic installments", the maximum term of the installment payment agreement is five (5) y...
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