Some long-standing property tax discrepancies are being addressed by Lexington’s city council. The recommendations to fix taxing district problems came during Tuesday’s committee meeting. Some of the issues were found in the 12th district, represented by Council Member Kathy Plomin.
“Our work group focused on making sure residents are either receiving the services they are paying for or are paying for services they are receiving. And we really worked hard to see not only are neighborhoods corrected but city-wide issues that have been left unattended for years,” said Plomin.
The workgroup found nearly 12 hundred parcels of property throughout Fayette County that need correction. Eve Miller in environmental services said the boost to the urban services fund would be more than $389,000. That compares to the $50 million overall in the fund. No back-pay is being requested.
Council Member Whitney Baxter asked if there might be graduated payments for those who owe. That’s not a recommendation according to Miller.
“Based on our legal parameters that we have to follow, we would need to make that jump immediately. Just because there are some property owners who are paying for services but not receiving them. So, we want those property owners to start receiving the service and have that implemented,” said Miller.
Residents pay a portion of property taxes to go for refuse collection, street lights, and street cleaning.
There will be an opportunity for public comment before any tax changes would go into effect.
