Philly Councilman Mark Squilla says he’ll give property tax savings to another property owner

Wondering why Philadelphia City Councilman Mark Squilla, D-1st, has been pushing for a phase-in of the city’s Actual Value Initiative?

Because on his block, and possibly others around the city, property taxes are going up for many, but down for those with abatements. Squilla, who says he’ll give his extra AVI money to a property owner who needs it, will soon be paying lower taxes than his neighbors, even though all of their property assessments have gone up.Squilla’s property value has doubled, but so has his tax abatement, as City Paper reports, so the councilman can expect to pay about third less than his already low tax rate. Squilla is among the few council members calling for an AVI phase-in so the city can address problems as they arise. Like, for example, properties being underassessed.