As the 2020 property tax year progresses issues related to the COVID-19 public health crisis intensify. Municipal decision makers want to act and they want to be part of the solution for their constituents, citizens, and taxpayers. These circumstances pose a unique set of challenges for both staff and decision makers in that there is no clear set of options and outcomes to choose from. Considering property tax responses to COVID 19 requires a different approach to the policy making process and staff may need to bring different types of information to the decision making table. From conveying compliance considerations that are less finite than tax ratio limits, to prudent projections in respect of unintended outcomes or consequences, decisions makers need more information and insight than ever before.
This session will provide participants information, consideration and proven solutions for framing the policy making process and will be organized around the following themes:
- Developing creative policy solutions (do’s and please do not’s)
- Making critical connections between policy objectives, options, and outcomes
- Understanding and conveying role, responsibility and compliance considerations
- The business class dilemma
- Staying in our lane and doing what municipalities do best
- Why, when and how to advise council when a policy suggestion is just plain bad.
Speaker:
Peter Frise, Vice President, Municipal Tax Equity Consultants
