28-16 Submit the Third Amended Charter to the Electors

Home Browse Search

(a) No public improvement, any part of the cost of which is to be specially assessed upon the owners of property in the city, shall be made without the approval of council. Before property in the city may be specially as- sessed for public improvements, council shall establish regulations suffi- cient to require preliminary legislation declaring the improvements neces- sary; to ensure the affected owners receive notice of the proposed assess- ment, an opportunity to examine plans for the improvement, and the abil- ity to be heard in at least one public forum before the assessment is au- thorized by council; to divide assessed costs equitably among the city and affected property owners; to provide for repayment over an appropriate period of time; and to establish an opportunity for owners to make damage claims arising from the improvements and have those claims heard. (b) Council may by a two - thirds vote of all members specially assess the cost of a public improvement upon affected property owners. However, if the owners representing a majority of the foot frontage of the lots to be as- sessed petition council for the improvement and assessment, council may approve the special assessment by a majority vote. 5.9 MUNICIPAL INCOME TAX Any legislation providing for an increase in the rate of municipal income tax charged on taxable income within the city, or providing for a reduction in the resident income tax credit for residents of the city, shall not become effective until council submits the legislation to the registered voters at a primary or general election occurring more than 6o days after the passage of the legislation, and until the legislation is approved by a majority of those voting on the measure. 5.10 PROPERTY TAX LEVIES (a) Taxation by Vote of Council. In any calendar year, taxes may be levied upon the tax duplicate without a vote of the people for the current operat- ing expenses of the city, but no such tax shall be levied at a rate exceeding by more than 5.2 mills the rate for these purposes within the constitutional limitation allocated to the city on the 1938 tax duplicate. Except as permit- ted in this section, all power to tax shall be as defined and limited by gen- eral law. (b) Levy for Police and Fire Pension Fund. Notwithstanding any other pro- vision of this charter, and in addition to all other levies authorized or re- quired by law, but otherwise in the manner provided for the making of 16