The Aberdeen City Council will hold a public hearing Monday night on an ordinance which would provide a 100 percent tax credit to the nonprofit housing organization Habitat for Humanity.
During the 2011 Maryland General Assembly session in Annapolis, legislation was passed authorizing municipal corporations to grant a tax credit for certain real properties owned by Habitat for Humanity. Because, according to the ordinance, “Habitat for Humanity has provided a valuable service to the City of Aberdeen and its citizens by improving the housing stock within the City,” Aberdeen plans on initiating that authorization to grant the organization a tax break.
The ordinance, if approved, would provide a 100 percent city tax credit for real property owned by Habitat for Humanity within Aberdeen, provided that the property is owned by Habitat for Humanity with the intention of relinquishing ownership in the near future;
the property is used for the purposes of development, rehabilitation and transfer to a private owner; and the property is not occupied by administrative or warehouse buildings owned by Habitat for Humanity.
Habitat for Humanity must submit an annual written report on or before April 15 each year to the Mayor and City Council documenting its real estate holdings within Aberdeen and all all transactions involving it’s properties within the city. According to the ordinance, “The tax credit for each property will continue until such time as the real property is transferred from Habitat for Humanity to another entity, but in no event for more than 3 years.”
Also Monday night, the City Director of Public Works will present an update on Enhanced Nutrient Removal upgrades to the wastewater treatment plant as well as bids for a four-wheel drive dump truck with snow plow, a four-wheel drive dump truck, and a one-ton four-wheel drive pump station service truck with extended cab to service the Aberdeen Proving Ground Waster Water Treatment Plant.
The meeting begins at 7 p.m. in Aberdeen City Hall.
The full agenda is listed below:
CITY OF ABERDEEN
COUNCIL AGENDA
MONDAY, January 30, 2012
7:00 p.m.
Call to Order – Roll Call
Opening Prayer – Pastor Robert Clipp, Grace United Methodist Church
Pledge of Allegiance – Councilwoman Young
Approval of Minutes: Council Meeting, November 21, 2011
Council Meeting, January 9, 2012
PRESENTATIONS: None
PUBLIC HEARINGS: Ordinance No. 12-O-01, Amendment to the Code, Chapter 482, Taxation (Habitat for Humanity)
PUBLIC COMMENT: No more than five (5) minutes shall be given to any individual speaking unless the Council determines otherwise.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION: None
BUSINESS OF THE CITY:
1. Unfinished Business
2. New Business
3. Business from Director of Planning & Community Development
4. Business from Chief of Police
5. Business from Director of Finance
FY 2012 Budget Amendment
6. Business from Director of Public Works
– APG WWTP #11-04, 4WD Dump Truck w/Snow Plow
– APG WWTP #11-05, 4WD Dump Truck
– APG WWTP #11-06, One-Ton, 4WD Pump Station Service Truck with Extended Cab & Dual Rear Wheel Chassis
– ENR Upgrade Update7. Business from City Manager
BUSINESS OF COUNCIL:
Business from the City Council
Business from the Mayor
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Next Council Work Session: Monday, February 6, 2012 at 4:00 p.m.
Next Council Meeting: Monday, February 13, 2012 at 7:00 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Great idea, giving Habitat for Humanity a break on their taxes!! Should have been done long ago!
…and that they are forming an alliance between Harford and Cecil Counties, also a great move!
… I love hearing good news!
These folks do great work every day and they should be supported in every way possible.