MOUNT VERNON — Monday, Mount Vernon City Council passed legislation which would require landlords to file a report with the city income tax department, listing the names of their tenants. The ordinance was amended twice, after a series of meetings and discussions with members of the local Real Estate Investors Association.
In the amended ordinance, landlords are required to file an occupancy report by Jan. 20, 2009, listing all of their tenants as of Jan. 1. Thereafter, landlords are only required to file an occupancy change form within 30 days of a unit being rented to a new occupant. The original legislation required landlords to file a full report twice a year.
In addition, the occupancy report is not required if tenants are billed directly for their water and wastewater bills, since the city would already have the required information.
The ordinance now applies to a landlord who has one or more units; previously, the legislation applied to those who had two or more units.
“We feel this is a livable ordinance,” said Claude Gates, president of REIA.
Gates added that REIA members feel there are still a lot of people who are not paying their taxes, and REIA would like to work with Debra Tyson, city income tax administrator, to see if some sort of a database can be put together to track those who should be paying taxes.
Former councilwoman Nancy Vail spoke against the ordinance, saying it has become more troubling to her the more she thinks about it in relation to history.
“Would atrocities of World War II, and perhaps others, have occurred if citizens had been more attentive to the activities and behaviors of their governments?” she asked. “There were governments that encouraged and required neighbors, families and even the children and loved ones, to report about one another to the government. With no suspected criminal activity, do we really want any citizens required to report to our government about the personal lives of other citizens here in our community? ... I think not.
“Sometimes the edge of an iceberg is the beginning of a slippery slope if you step on it,” she said to scattered applause.
Brooke Phillips of East Chestnut Street spoke in favor of the legislation. Saying she spoke as a resident, not a member of the income tax department, she said she understood both sides of the issue, had researched previous attempts to pass such legislation, and spoke with 14 people about the ordinance, all of whom could not see why the city would not pass such an ordinance. As a resident, she said, she would be disappointed if the ordinance did not pass.
Council also passed an ordinance which would increase the rates billed for emergency medical services by 5 percent. According to Councilman Mike Hillier, this is an annual update to the fees. Medicare has authorized a 5 percent increase in the rate it will pay for emergency ambulance transports for 2009.
Hillier, as well as Councilman Chuck Dice, wanted to make sure city residents know they will not be billed for transport. A bill will be sent to their insurance company, and the individual may receive an Explanation of Benefits from their insurance carrier stating payment has been made, but city residents will not be responsible for any balance remaining after the insurance carrier has paid. Transport fees apply only to those who do not live or work in the city.
The ordinance also included a new clause that allows the city’s safety-service director to annually adjust the rates without going before council. The safety-service director cannot raise rates higher than the increase approved by Medicare.
Council waived three readings and passed the ordinance as an emergency so the new rates could take effect Jan. 1.
In other business, council:
•Noted that James Fawcett had requested the transfer of a liquor license from Budget Saver Foods to Ron’s Pizza.
•Passed a resolution authorizing the safety-service director to renew a contract between the city and the Knox County Health Department. The contract includes a 2 percent increase for each of the years 2009 and 2010. In 2009, the city will pay $44,151; in 2010, $45,034.
•Passed resolutions authorizing the city auditor to pay bills, transfer funds and make supplemental appropriations. Of note is $173,000 received by the city for estate taxes, which will be appropriated to police, fire and EMS accounts.
Mayor Richard Mavis told council that preliminary approval has been received for extension of the Vernonview water line. He hopes to receive final approval from the state sometime in early January.
He also noted the city was working on a mailing to city residents, informing them about the gas aggregate program. He urged residents to look at their current gas bill so appropriate comparisons can be made in March, when it’s time for residents to decide who their gas supplier will be.
Mavis also told council that the Public Utilities Commission is encouraging Columbia Gas to discontinue acting as a gas supplier. The rates in the gas aggregate program are determined based on Columbia’s rates. If Columbia Gas does stop serving as a gas supplier, rates will be determined based on the gas recovery cost rate, plus 21 or 22 cents. Mavis said this change may take place in the second year of the city’s gas contract.
Mavis commended the street department for its work during Saturday’s snowstorm. Hillier commended the parks department for its work with the holiday decorations on Public Square, as well as the Heritage Centre Association for its downtown decorations.
Councilman Bruce Hawkins said Monday night was the first night the homeless shelter would be open to men. He encouraged the community to volunteer, saying it was a way for the community to reach out to others in need. He also reminded council the Food for the Hungry drive would take place Saturday.
Council members Rebecca Jordan, Chuck Dice and Burt Hanson thanked all who worked on the income tax ordinance. Hanson told the landlords they could look forward to that tax money going back into improving the community. Jordan said she appreciated the communication between all those involved on the issue.
