While we had the opportunity, we asked Mayor Wagner about his Administration's policy shift of giving tax discounts.
Back in April of 2018, the mayor was very critical of the long-established practice by municipal government administrations to give discounts on prepaid property tax. We fast-forward to the waning days of his first term in office, and he's now offering these same types of discounts.
On Christmas-Eve 2020, he unveiled the Trade License Rebate Relief Program, where business owners could qualify for a 5% or a 10% rebate. And now, his administration is offering, a 15% discount on property tax paid on or before February 2021, a 10% discount on property taxes paid between March 1st, and March 31st, 2021, and a 25% discount for senior citizens.
Here's what he had to say when we asked about these offers:
Daniel Ortiz "What's the reason for the change in positions?"
Bernard Wagner "So, you all don't support that businesses and property owners get a discount give the fact that we are through a pandemic? I'll be the first to tell you that we don't support discounts but there's a shift, there's a pandemic and people income, business resources have depleted and so you have to be able to bring all those things together so that there is an ease for the public at large."
Daniel Ortiz "Sir for this particular one, explain to us how it works?"
Bernard Wagner "It's essentially on the property tax that we are offering up to 25% on property tax if you meet that deadline before the ending of February and so you'll be able to enjoy that 25%. There is also the normal program for the elderly, the golden citizens that are still in effect as well."
Daniel Ortiz "We notice also that in January you offered one to customers as well for trade license. Explain to us, was that one successful in your mind?"
Bernard Wagner "Essentially it was successful, many businesses during 2020 had already paid in trade license fees and were unable to operate. So, we felt that it was important for us as a council to give back some level of rebate or discount per say."
