1 PUBLIC COMMENT:
COMMENT ON ALL ACTION ITEMS EXCEPT PUBLIC HEARINGS WILL NOT BE TAKEN AT THIS TIME. COMMENTS FOR ITEMS NOT ON THE AGENDA WILL BE TAKEN DURING OPEN FORUM
The city-wide NEIGHBORS DEFENDING OUR HOMES COALITION supports a truly Equitable Progressive Business Tax. But the proposed rates heavily discriminate against Mom & Pop rental providers, demanding a tax rate 28 times as much as grocers, for example. Please develop a new Small Rental Property Provider (SRPP) category or add us to a progressive tax rate category such as Class E that includes rentals.
Hundreds of small, local rental providers now face loss of their property, especially during this Covid economic crisis & rent moratoriums. Rent from a duplex, triplex or the home basement, even from a family member, will continue to be taxed at the highest rate in Oakland. Other cities exempt such rental providers from business taxes as they understand such rental housing is more affordable & can slow displacement & homelessness . Why continue the sad history of discouraging & driving out Mom & Pop rental providers costing the City $0?! The 2019 Tax Exemption is a sad hoax--only 60 people applying in 3 years!
The City Council & Mayor repeat concerns about the increasing, rampant displacement of long-time Oakland families, the crisis in affordable rental units, needs for ADUs, & homelessness. Oakland contemplates buying 13,000 lower cost rental units while unfairly driving out providers of lower cost rentals not costing taxpayers a penny! Why totally drop your equity lens in the matter of fairly taxing small rental providers!?
The city-wide NEIGHBORS DEFENDING OUR HOMES COALITION supports a truly Equitable Progressive Business Tax. But the proposed rates heavily discriminate against Mom & Pop rental providers, demanding a tax rate 28 times as much as grocers, for example. Please develop a new Small Rental Property Provider (SRPP) category or add us to a progressive tax rate category such as Class E that includes rentals.
Hundreds of small, local rental providers now face loss of their property, especially during this Covid economic crisis & rent moratoriums. Rent from a duplex, triplex or the home basement, even from a family member, will continue to be taxed at the highest rate in Oakland. Other cities exempt such rental providers from business taxes as they understand such rental housing is more affordable & can slow displacement & homelessness . Why continue the sad history of discouraging & driving out Mom & Pop rental providers costing the City $0?! The 2019 Tax Exemption is a sad hoax--only 60 people applying in 3 years!
The City Council & Mayor repeat concerns about the increasing, rampant displacement of long-time Oakland families, the crisis in affordable rental units, needs for ADUs, & homelessness. Oakland contemplates buying 13,000 lower cost rental units while unfairly driving out providers of lower cost rentals not costing taxpayers a penny! Why totally drop your equity lens in the matter of fairly taxing small rental providers!?
The Neighbors Defending our Homes Coalition
Please put Oakland mom & pop and owner-occupied small rental housing providers within the Small Business category
in the new business tax structure.
Terry Meyers and John Gibbins
Oakland