Council to weigh single tax rate proposal, negotiate Batista contract Tuesday

The City Council agenda for Tuesday reads much like last week’s, with the fiscal year 2023 tax classification hearing scheduled before the council meets in executive session to negotiate a contract with new City Manager Eric D. Batista.

The tax classification hearing comes as the city’s total assessed value for taxable property increased 13.3% for FY2023 to $20.314.

The hearing will determine what share of that value is paid by businesses and what share is paid by residential property owners.

Since 1984, businesses and residential property owners have paid different tax rates to make up this value.

This year, for instance, the residential tax rate was set at $15.21 per thousand, while the commercial-industrial tax rate was set at $33.33 per thousand.

But the Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce has been pushing for a single rate for both businesses and residential property owners, or to at least close the gap between the two rates.

Expect councilors to weigh several proposals in their quests for a fair tax rate and, as this has generated a lot of discussion in the past, be prepared for the discussion to continue to another meeting.

Following the discussion on taxes, the council is scheduled to recess into executive session to negotiate a contract with Batista.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Council to eye single tax rate and negotiate Batista contract Tuesday