In a recent government meeting, officials discussed a proposed amendment aimed at significantly reducing the urban forestry special charge for property owners. The amendment suggests a reduction of $7 million from the estimated $7.5 million charge for 2025, bringing the total down to $500,000. This change would maintain the special charge while allowing the council to reassess its budgetary needs.

For the average homeowner, the urban forestry special charge currently amounts to approximately $84 per year. Under the new proposal, property taxes would increase by $73 annually, resulting in a net decrease of about $11 for homeowners with properties valued at or below $457,000. However, homeowners with properties valued above $525,000 would see an increase in their overall tax burden due to the interplay between the flat urban forestry charge and the percentage-based property tax assessment.

The discussions highlighted the financial implications of the proposed amendment, emphasizing that while some homeowners would benefit from a reduction in the urban forestry charge, others would face higher property taxes. The council is expected to consider these factors as they finalize the 2025 budget and potentially move forward with a referendum on the amendment.