Ballot question puts BRT on the chopping block

The fate of the Board of Revision of Taxes is in the hands of Philadelphia voters.

By Meggan Kole

Voters will be doing more than selecting candidates today.

Philadelphia residents will also vote on four ballot questions ranging from a city loan to a change in the city’s Home Rule Charter.

The fate of the Board of Revision of Taxes (BRT) is also in the hands of the voters. Voting “yes” will disband the BRT and split its responsibilities between two new agencies.

Voting “no” means keeping the BRT in charge of assessing property taxes in Philadelphia.

Critics have slammed the BRT for inaccurate property assessments and political cronyism.

Saint Joseph’s University Professor Randall Miller says this is the most important question on the ballot.

“The whole principle here is to make the process of property evaluation and assessment fair, consistent, understood and accepted by the public,” says Miller.

Right now, the BRT is responsible for determining property values. When property owners dispute values, the BRT handles those appeals.