The fight has begun again on the M&T tax.  From the VML Legislative Update:

“Del. Bob Purkey, chairman of the House Finance Committee, has introduced yet again another measure to end local taxation of machinery and tools.  His bill from last session was defeated twice on the House floor after heavy lobbying from localities.

In this year’s version — HB 1636 — machinery and tools purchased on or after July 1 would be subject solely to state taxation as intangible personal property for the first three years after the date of purchase or after being brought into Virginia for the first time.  For years four through 10, machinery and tools would be considered personal property and subject to local taxes.  However, after the tenth year of service, this same property reverts to intangible personal property and is no longer subject to local taxes, if the assessed value of the machinery and tools exceeds 1 percent of the original cost.

It is interesting to note how the same piece of equipment transforms repeatedly from a tangible to an intangible status. However, under state statute (§ 58.1-1100), only the state can tax intangible personal property.  As a matter of policy, the state has chosen not to do so.  The bill has been referred to the House Finance Committee.”

It’s a house bill so you’ll have to contact Del. Miller if you’re interested in supporting the City.

Recently we’ve had some folks come forward who would like the City to do “something” about the house over on Prescott avenue that is crumbling.  Previously, the City has cited the owner for various and sundry violations and we eventually ended up in court.  The judge back then said that if the City wanted to spend $70k (If I recall correctly) to shore up the house we (the city) could but that he (the judge) was not going to order the owner to fix the house up as they couldn’t afford it.  Some had mentioned buying the house but the owners did not want to sell.

The Council took the matter up and approved the funds to stabilize the house and then two weeks later a Councilmember asked that the vote be reconsidered.  This time the the previous vote was overturned.  I voted to approve the funds as I believe that there are only so many of those houses in Old Town and the number is dwindling.  For our City, they are a treasure and a part of our heritage.  These houses constitute a critical part of the look and feel of Old Town.  The majority of the Council felt otherwise.  There was concern that the City wouldn’t get our money back due to the way that the lien would have to be filed.  I obviously felt the risk was small otherwise I wouldn’t have voted the way I did.

So, fast forward several years to now.  The house is crumbling and I haven’t seen anyone in it in about a year.  There has been a change in the state law that establishes that funds spent by localities in this manner are to be handled in the same manner as tax liens: the City would be first in line when the house changes hands to get our money back.  Unfortunately, the house has continued to deteriorate and I won’t even speculate what it would take to stabilize it.  I’m not a lawyer or expert but I suspect the other option would be for the City to buy the house using ED.  However, we aren’t really in the house-owning business so I’m not sure about that way….

Long and Short of this is that if you feel strongly about it, write the Council and Mayor or come speak at Citizen’s time.  Posts here aren’t going to make anything happen.  If you want action, you’re going to have to get out and do something.  Otherwise, the house seems destined to continue it’s trip towards oblivion: at some point it will have to be torn down unless the owner or the City does something.

UPDATE:  Steve sends linkage to the original story in the JM