OPINION: Get ready New Bedford – higher property taxes are coming in 2021

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According to Mayor Mitchell’s 2021 budget proposal, costs to City government are going up, state aid is uncertain, and local revenue is in decline. This recipe ensures your property taxes will go up, likely a lot.

On average, homeowners in New Bedford saw an increase of $220 in 2019 and $114 in 2020 raising the total average increase to $334 over the past two years. Unless significant federal or state aid flows to the city, the burden will fall on commercial and residential property owners. The mayor’s revenue graph foreshadows an increase in property taxes, but how much is still to be determined:

The New Bedford City Council is currently reviewing the budget and votes on the final budget on August 24. The more they cut, the lower your property taxes increase will likely be – but an increase is coming. Cuts would also mean fewer government services. The biggest issue with municipal government is there isn’t much discretionary spending to cut – most of the budget is mandated spending. Cutting services is also unpopular, even during a COVID-19 pandemic. Expect very little cuts, if any, and higher property taxes in the future.

The real fight will be later in the year when City Council and the Assessors office decide who takes it on the chin the most, commercial or residential property owners. Much of it will decide on state and federal aid amounts. Regardless, it will be a burden that will be a tough pill to swallow. Many businesses have either gone away or faced severe revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19 and the restrictions the State has placed on them. Investment property owners are facing an indefinite rent moratorium. Many homeowners are feeling the pinch of reduced work hours. Higher taxes will be the final straw for a lot of people, but make no mistake, they are coming.

About Michael Silvia

Served 20 years in the United States Air Force. Owner of New Bedford Guide.

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5 comments

  1. Why would we pay more for the same shitty government?

  2. Why don’t they take a pay cut they make enough money…

  3. We do this to our selves.Democrats won’t do anything because most South Coast residents vote Democrat.They know this.Republicans won’t do anything for us because most will not vote Republican.We Should collectively Band together and Say Give us your best deal to both Parties and Make them accountable And vote for which ever party gives us the best Deal..!

  4. Cuts in services with increases in taxes, without any cuts in administrators’ pay and bonuses is the very formula for complete loss of respect for elected officials. Time to “vote with our feet”.

  5. The City of New Bedford needs new leadership. The pandemic has already created enough hardship for all it’s citizens. Mayor Mitchell and the City Council need to come up with a formula that includes instituting a hiring freeze, streamlining all departments, and one time pay cuts across the board. Everyone has to make sacrafices here, not just home owners and businesses.Taxes have gone up year after year under this administration and asking to pay higher taxes during this pandemic is dead wrong.

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