Council Approves Transparency Ordinances for Developer Tax Breaks and City Purchasing

The City Council has approved two new ordinances providing that final versions of deals for tax breaks for developers and city contracts appear on the publicly-available Council agenda.

Both new transparency ordinances are similar to an ordinance that was vetoed by Mayor Erin Stewart (R) earlier this month. Council Democrats strongly criticized the veto of city legislation to provide for public reports on final land deals, calling the mayor’s act, “a striking blow against the principles of open government and accountability.”

The three proposals were part a package of transparency ordinances proposed by Council Democrats in March.

One new ordinance approved by the Council Wednesday 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 has been signed by all parties.” The tax breaks have been used for deals that, while ostensibly include affordable housing, have been criticized for being used by wealthy developers in a way that expands gentrification in the city.

Another new ordinance requires quarterly reports to the Council about public procurement , “when the written contract has been signed.”

The proposals now go to the mayor’s desk for approval or veto.