Rix

By ALEX MALM

Ward 2 Councilman Jeremy Rix along with members of his campaign walked 10 miles throughout the Ward on Sunday.

They weren’t knocking on doors asking for votes, instead the three of them dropped off fliers informing residents that Tax Relief Commission meetings had once again begun.

“It has been my pleasure to represent you and your neighbors on the City Council. I try to do what I can to help when issues come up so that we find solutions that work for everyone,” the letter from Rix read. “I am writing to you and your neighbors because I am concerned that the tax revaluation scheduled to take effect this year may have an extreme effect on people here in the neighborhood who can least afford a major financial hit, and, I want to work with you to help people in that position. We need input from Warwick residents like yourself on how we may be able to address this issue.”

Rix explained that every three years there is a tax revaluation in the City. In Warwick the last one which took effect in 2019 “disproportionately impacted homeowners of more modest homes with them often seeing 10% - 30% tax increases.”

Property revalutions are required by state law Rix said and are revenue-neutral to the city.

“Every three years, the values of all properties are recalculated, and homes and commercial properties that increase in value more than average tend to receive higher taxes,” said Rix. “Those homes and properties that don’t increase more in value than the city average tend to receive lower taxes than before.”

Rix in his letter said that property taxes are calculated on the property’s value and “there’s no getting around the fact that a property’s value has to be recalculated sometimes based on the market for taxes to be fair. But, it hardly seems fair when a person who bought a modest house is forced out of it because changes in the housing market have made their taxes jump by, for example, 50% in four years. Especially when their home is about as affordable as any house in Warwick and when rent is out of control.”

“That’s why I proposed to create, and am the Chair of, the City Council Tax Relief Commission. Before the City’s Budget is set in May 2022, we are holding meetings to receive public input on proposals to help those who would be most negatively impacted by the scheduled Tax Reval,” said Rix. “This may involve proposals to expand already-existing tax exemptions for those who need relief most, such as the ‘Tax Freeze’ and ‘Circuit Breaker’ exemptions.”

The tax freeze exemption means real estate taxes are frozen at current assessment and tax rate. The exemption is only available to a single family home or condo.

The person applying must be head of household, 100% disabled per SSA or VA and unable to work or is 70 years of age and have an annual household income under $7,500 for a single person or $15,000 for a married couple. A disability letter from SSA or VA needs to be submitted along with an income form to prove the applicant is head of household.

Those eligible for the circuit breaker exemption may receive a $600 to $1,000 exemption on real estate taxes. The actual amount varies based on income level. Income guidelines are updated annually based on the consumer price index. An income form must be submitted every year to continue to receive the exemption. The applicant must be 65 years of age by December 31 of the prior year or 100% disabled per SSA or VA. Additionally all current residents must list the funds they receive on the income from, and have resided in Warwick for the past five tax years.

Rix said he is encouraging anyone interested to attend one or all of the meetings scheduled for the commission. The dates are:

· Monday, March 14 at 5:30 p.m.Council Chambers, Warwick City Hall, 3275 Post Road

· Saturday, March 26 at 2 p.m. Library Conference Room, 600 Sandy Lane

· Monday, March 28 at 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers

· Monday, April 11 at 5:30 p.m. Council Chambers

Those unable to attend the meetings can email Rix to have comments read into the record at RixForWarwick@Gmail.com.