Board of Estimate & Contract:
RESOLVED, that a resolution adopted by the City Council on August 14, 2024, and signed by the Mayor on August 15, 2024, authorizing the Comptroller to Write Off Unpaid Property Taxes and Interest for Certain Properties with New Homeowners - ($31,130.55 of unpaid property taxes and interest for the properties listed in the attached document, where new owners are not responsible for taxes due before their ownership), be and the same is hereby approved.
City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
COMPTROLLER TO WRITE OFF UNPAID
PROPERTY TAXES AND INTEREST FOR
CERTAIN PROPERTIES WITH NEW HOMEOWNERS
Whereas, by letter dated August 5, 2024, the Comptroller has requested legislation authorizing the write off amount of $31,130.55 of unpaid property taxes and interest for the properties listed in the attached document, where new owners are not responsible for taxes due before their ownership; and
Whereas, the bank reconciliations for the years 2019 through 2021 were not completed during the former Comptroller’s tenure, leading to discrepancies in the property tax records; and
Whereas, these discrepancies resulted in insufficient payments not being reconciled, nor were tax payments due re-levied to the affected properties; and
Whereas, during the reconciliation process, the affected property records were adjusted, taxes were re-levied, and notices of payment due were issued to property owners; and
Whereas, a small percentage of properties with new owners received arrears notices despite having conducted title searches during the purchase process, where it was reported that no taxes were due; and
Whereas, it is deemed unfair and inappropriate to hold new owners responsible for unpaid taxes and interest accrued before their ownership, as they relied on the title search conducted during their property purchase; Now, Therefore, Be It Resolved That
The City of Mount Vernon, in City Council convened, does hereby ordain, and enact:
Section 1. Authorization to Write Off Unpaid Property Taxes. The Comptroller is hereby authorized to write off $31,130.55 of unpaid property taxes and interest for the properties listed in the attached document, where new owners are not responsible for taxes due before their ownership.
Section 2. Implementation. The Comptroller shall take all necessary steps to ensure that the unpaid taxes and interest are properly written off in the city’s financial records.
Section 3. Effective Date. This ordinance shall take effect upon its approval by the Board of Estimate & Contract.