Health & Fitness
Will There Be A 90.5 Percent Special Tax Increase For Homeowners On Bell?
Strange letter to homeowners warns of 90.5% business improvement district assessment increase
Editor's Note: In response to the lede question above, Bayside BID Chairman James Riso said the answer is 'no.' The confusing letter purveying a 90.5 percent increase in tax assessment for the Bayside Village District was mistakenly sent out to homeowners.
"No, residential property owners on Bell and within the district are [to be] taxed," Riso said. The letter was crafted pro forma by the NYC Dept. of Small Business Services, and sent out by them as well, he added.
That special tax—which will only apply to business owners—will be itemized on business tax assessments, Riso said. Any homeowner or religious house that notices the additional tax on their assessment, should call , or Lion Fonfa, with Small Business Services, at 212.513.6462.
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The recently sent my wife and I letters that raise more questions than they answer.
The letters, which are addressed "Dear Property Owner," serve notice of a 90.5% increase in dues for the 2012 fiscal year.
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First of all, why were these letters sent to my wife and I, who are homeowners? Does the BID intend to assess dues to homeowners?
Second, why is there a 90.5% increase? And how will that impact Bell Blvd businesses in these hard times? Will the increase be passed on to neighborhood residents indirectly, in the form of higher prices at our local businesses?
The letter does not indicate what the "higher expenses" behind this increase actually are. So much for transparency!
Why was it up to the Board to approve a 90.5% assessment increase? Shouldn't have that been put to a vote by the businesses who have to pay the assessment? Isn't that what true democracy is really about?
Finally, where did the former director of the BID stand on this issue? Was this what he was disagreeing with the board about -- a disagreement that led to his reported firing?
I think the BID board has a lot of explaining to do
Blogger David R. Yale urges all to homeowners within the District to double check their tax assessments—especially those who bank using auto-pay services.