Photo: Jared Brosnan
BOSTON (WBZ NewsRadio) — Boston residents and lawmakers are at odds over solutions for an expected hike in residential property tax bills.
Falling values of commercial properties could cause a 14% tax hike for homeowners, according to Mayor Michelle Wu’s administration.
Wu proposed a temporary tax spike for business owners, but the idea received a lot of backlash. Some business and real estate groups said the proposal would harm small businesses and devalue commercial properties.
Many city councilors and organizations think budget cuts are the best solution, but Wu disagrees.
In a recent letter, Wu said even a 1% budget cut could end grant programs for youth safety, cut retirement funds, and cancel training classes for fire, police and emergency medical services.
City Councilor Ed Flynn said the city needs to look at its spending, freeze hiring and consider tapping into reserve funds.
Wu will hold a meeting Wednesday night to discuss her proposal.
WBZ’s Madison Rogers (@MadisonWBZ) reports.
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