The proposed district would raise $4,000 annually and be in place for 10 years. Finance Director Ken Keim said previously the largest per-parcel cost would be $556, and the average is $49, based on road frontage from West Chester Road to Interstate 75. The highest assessment under the new proposal is $405 for that same large vacant property close to I-75.
Keim said the money would be used to replace the decorative mailboxes and poles that hold street signs — if they get damaged — that were installed as part of the $7.8 million widening project that concluded last fall. The goal is to maintain a uniform look throughout that area of Olde West Chester. If there are excess funds in the future the money can be spent on landscape and other amenities like benches.
Resident Richard Knodel spoke to the trustees Tuesday and told them they have no right to tax churches and if they proceed, he’ll fight them.
“I’m definitely going to make this a cause to love in my life and if this goes forward. I’m going to tell you now that I will make this a huge issue as far as I can make it,” Knodel said. “I don’t think the trustees realize how big of an issue this is in terms of legal precedent. But we won’t have any trouble at all bringing in attorneys to argue this.”
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Trustee Mark Welch asked that the non-profits be included in the assessment district because they benefit from the beautification just like all the other property owners. Another resident, Jeremiah York also voiced his objection last week and quoted U.S. Supreme Court opinions to prove his point that churches are exempt from taxation.
“If the government is ever allowed to tax churches, even for just one penny it has initiated a power that can control and thus destroy them,” York read.
A couple of the churches were also included in antique lighting project from a couple years ago and Burks explained taxes and assessments aren’t the same.
“I just want to make a clarification,” Burks said. “This is an assessment it’s not a tax, for some people that may be splitting hairs, but taxes are toward valuation. This is to fulfill an estimate for maintenance costs. Taxes are based on valuation, this is based on an estimated cost of $4,000 per year to create a fund for maintenance and repairs.”
Letters were scheduled to go out to all property owners within the proposed landscape district on Friday, announcing a second public hearing scheduled for July 14. The original plan that excluded non-profits contained 81 parcels, the new list has 97. The three church assessments are: New Life Chapel: $260; St. John Evangelical Catholic Church: $222 and West Chester Presbyterian Church: $196.
One resident, Victoria Alvarez spoke out against the decorative mailboxes during the last public hearing and complained about her $60 annual assessment. Her payment had dropped to around $44 now that all properties are included in the district.
The West Chester Presbyterian Church and St. John’s were also included in the smaller lighting district annual assessment. Now that the lights are operating on the new road, they will be assessed $275 and$137 respectively.
Welch said he got a call from a parishioner at St. Johns who told him he was willing to pay the mailbox cost for the church. Welch told the Journal-News he doesn’t think the nominal annual fee will be a “hardship” for anyone.
“I think it’s much ado about nothing,” Welch said. “We’re an equal opportunity assessor here and hey, we’re all benefiting from this. Be a part of the Olde West Chester we care about our community club.”
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