City council proposes to abolish BRT

Philadelphia City Council introduced legislation Thursday that would abolish the city agency responsible for determining property tax assessments.

Philadelphia City Council introduced legislation Thursday that would abolish the city agency responsible for determining property tax assessments.

Listen:
[audio: 091008spbrt.mp3]

The proposal would eliminate the beleaguered Board of Revision of Taxes, and replace it with two separate entities. One would assess properties, the other would hear property owner’s appeals.

The council bill would also inject more expertise into the operations by requiring future board members to have experience in real estate law and appraisals.

Councilman Bill Green introduced the bill. He says the mayor would appoint the board members, taking that function away from the board of city judges.

Green: Some of the most important aspects of this legislation is to make appointees accountable to the public and the elected officials so we’ve changed the appointment process such that the board of appeals will be appointed by the mayor with council approval.

If the reform bill passes, it would require final approval by voters.