General Assembly
paves the way for tax break for Narragansett residents
Charlestown Democrats proposed
a similar measure to give a tax break to year-round Charlestown residents.
The Charlestown Citizens Alliance and the RI Stateside Coalition organized “The
Riot of the Rich” which brought in non-resident beach property owners and
their CCA supporters to the Council chambers to denounce the tax break as an
affront to the American way of life. Of course, the CCA-controlled Town Council
would not even consider the proposal that would have saved the average working
family in Charlestown hundreds of dollars off their property tax bill. Those
bills, by the way, will be arriving in your mail box soon.
The General Assembly has passed legislation introduced
by Sen. James C. Sheehan (D-Dist. 36, Narragansett, North Kingstown) and Rep. Carol Hagan
McEntee (D-Dist. 33, Narragansett, South Kingstown) that would allow a homestead tax exemption in the town of Narragansett.
“Some
10 cities and towns have been permitted to implement a homestead exemption in
their communities,” said Senator Sheehan.
“When implemented, it is anticipated
that homestead exemption will provide very modest property tax relief for
homeowners, while slightly increasing the property tax rate on rental
properties. However, the commercial property tax rate is expected to be
significantly reduced. This should help local businesses and provide a
much-needed economic boost to the community.”
The
exemption would apply to home-owning taxpayers who actually reside at the
taxable property. The bill would cap any exemption adopted by the town council
at 10 percent. The council would be responsible for enacting any rules and
regulations to govern the exemption.
The enabling legislation (2016-S
2188, 2016-H
7127) would grant the
Narragansett Town Council the authority to adopt a homestead exemption ordinance,
similar to those that have already been adopted in several other communities in
the state.