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Motion Expressing the Sense of the Council of Allegheny County regarding continued deliberation on and discussion of Bill No. 3663-08, treating the proposed County Essential Services Fee.
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WHEREAS, on January 15, 2008, Bill No. 3663-08, which would establish a countywide essential services fee program for nonprofit entities, was introduced; and
WHEREAS, Bill No. 3663-08, as introduced would have utilized the fees generated therefrom to increase the Homestead Exemption; and
WHEREAS, with the consensus encouragement and support of Council, revisions were made to the Bill so as to utilize the fees derived therefrom to provide relief from the Drink Tax; and
WHEREAS, revisions to the Bill were circulated at the February 5 regular meeting of Council and at the February 12 meeting of Council's Committee on Budget and Finance and the Bill, with revisions were discussed but held in Council's Committee on Budget and Finance on January 22, February 12 and February 26, 2008; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to the foregoing, a fiscal note was prepared and the input of the County Treasurer was received. The fiscal note demonstrated that approximately $10.5 million would be derived from the Essential Services Fee on an annual basis, net of the cost of collection; and
WHEREAS, at the February 26, 2008 meeting of the Budget and Finance Committee, an amendment consisting of the substantive changes to the Bill which had been previously circulated, together with collection and enforcement measures suggested by the Treasurer was introduced, in an efforts to accommodate the previous discussions and comments of various members of Council, including those on the Budget and Finance Committee;
WHEREAS, this amendment was defeated in committee; and
WHEREAS, it is now unclear whether Council desires to continue deliberating on and discussing Bill No. 3663-08, and the primary sponsor does not wish to continue asking the Committee to devote its time to doing so if there is no genuine wish to pursue the bill on the part of the full Council;
NOW THEREFORE, IT IS MOVED, that it is the sense of Allegheny County Council continued efforts of the primary sponsor of Bill 3663-08 and Council staff to develop an Essential Services Fee ordinance as well as further deliberation on and discussion of Bill No. 3663-08, treating the proposed County Essential Services Fee, is hereby authorized and encouraged.