Council Proposal Would Require Public Reports of Business Tax Breaks, Contracts and Land Deals

The New Britain City Council is set to consider a series of proposals that would require the mayor and other city officials to report the terms of various kinds of business tax breaks, contracts and land deals.

The Council is often asked to authorize the mayor and other officials to enter into agreements. The proposals would now require that the terms of those deals be reported publicly to the Council. All public reports to the Council are inherently made available to the public with the Council’s agenda.

The proposals are being introduced by the Council President Pro-Tempore Ald. Francisco Santiago (D-5), Majority Leader Ald. John McNamara (D-4) and Ald. Iris Sanchez (D-3).

In one proposal would require public procurement contracts to the Council, “when the written contract has been signed.

Another would require a report to the Council, in cases involving, “donation, sale or lease of any city-owned park property,” when, “an agreement for the lease of City property previously approved by the Council has been signed by all parties.”

Another proposal would require that a report be made to the Council on a tax modification agreement for low and moderate income housing, “Once a Tax Modification Agreement which was approved by the Common Council has been signed by all parties.”

Finally, when tax cuts are provided by the city to businesses in “enterprise zones,” a proposal would require, “Once an assessment deferral and tax abatement agreement which was approved by the Common Council has been signed by all parties,” that, “a report shall be submitted to the Council with a copy of the signed agreement shall be attached.”

The proposals would change city ordinances, or local laws. They are on the agenda of the March 13th Council meeting and, at that meeting, are likely to be referred to one or more Council committees for public hearings early next month.