Readers define PILOT for ALL non-profit institutions from the educational, medical, and cultural
The PILOT should be for ALL non-profit institutions from the educational, medical, and cultural sectors that own property valued in excess of $15 million. Each institution should be eligible for a “community benefits” deduction generally limited to 50% of the total PILOT contribution, i..e 50% should be a cash payment to the Village and 50% can be defined as benefits that derive to Village residents. You need the Village Manager to initiate this, whereby tax-exempt, land-owning institutions make a voluntary payment-in-lieu-of taxes (“PILOT”) to the Village to help cover the cost of providing the institutions with essential Village services (i.e. police, fire, snow removal). The Village needs to set a standard level of contributions – in programs and payments – to be met by all major tax-exempt land owners in Ridgewood, based on an open and transparent methodology for valuing community partnerships made by tax-exempt institutions. We also need to propose a structure for a consolidation program and payment negotiation system, which will allow the Village and its tax-exempt institutions to structure longer term, sustainable partnerships focused on improving services for Ridgewood’s residents. You also have to clarify the costs associated with providing Village services to tax-exempt institutions, and if necessary, provide recommendations on legislative changes needed at the Village, County or state level. None of this should be difficult.
Why are churches, et al, not included?