CITY’S PROPERTY TAX COLLECTIONS FROM CELL ANTENNAS STUCK IN A DEAD ZONE

Audit Finds Department of Finance Failed to Uncover Unreported Income from Cell Antennas, Missed $24 Million in Potential Property Taxes

 

   City Comptroller John C. Liu and State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli today announced that a joint audit found New York City’s Department of Finance failed to collect an estimated $24 million in property taxes because it did not use available resources to identify property owners who did not report income from cell antennas.

“As phone companies and cell tower landlords profit handsomely, our taxpayers are entitled to share in that revenue,” Comptroller Liu said. This audit clearly outlines how the Finance Dept. can recover $24 million. That's real money that can stave off anything from tax increases to cuts in public services.”

“During these tough economic times, the city and state need to maximize all sources of available revenue to keep crucial programs running and needed employees like police, firefighters and teachers on the job,” Comptroller DiNapoli said. “The audit findings released today show that with a little creativity and ingenuity the city can benefit tremendously. This audit came about as an effort between our two offices and shows what can be accomplished when we share resources and expertise.”

Owners of commercial properties and large apartment buildings must report income from cell antenna equipment to the Department of Finance (DOF). This income increases the City’s assessed value of the property, which helps determine property taxes.  Auditors used Department of Buildings’ data and other resources available to the DOF to find 2,108 property owners who failed to report income from cell equipment in 2008-2009.  By comparison, in 2009, the agency’s assessors found just 90 properties that failed to report income.

Borough	Properties w/ Unreported Income 2008-2009	Tax Revenue Missed
Manhattan	594	$9.8 million
Bronx	363	$3.5 million
Brooklyn	602	$5.8 million
Queens	489	$4.7 million
Staten Island	60	$0.5 million

Response

The DOF agreed to use additional available databases in order to expand its search for unreported income, to apply cell site income to properties when it verifies property owners have not reported such income, and to consult with the Law Department about imposing penalties on owners who fail to report income.

The agency stated that starting in 2011, when the audit was initiated, it prioritized the accurate valuation of cell sites.

The DOF stated that it failed to collect a potential $10.5 million in property taxes — not $24 million — a figure that it reached by counting 843 properties that failed to report income.  However, the agency’s estimate failed to reflect the 1,711 properties that did not report income identified by the audit.  When adjusted to reflect those 1,711 properties, the agency’s estimate more than doubles and is very much in line with the audit finding.

Background: Property Taxes and Cell Equipment

When the DOF discovers that an owner has failed to report income, the agency adds a preset amount to the property’s income and adjusts the assessed value. Based on DOF estimates, properties north of 125^th Street and in the outer boroughs make about $2,000 a month per cell carrier that leases space. South of 125^th Street, properties make an estimated $4,000 per month. 

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What You Should Know

By Senator Rev. Rubén Díaz
32nd Senatorial District, Bronx County, New York

Senator Diaz Unites with Senator Storobin Against Same-Sex Marriage

You should know that the newly elected Senator David Storobin from Brooklyn has introduced his first piece of legislation, Senate Bill S7712-2011 to repeal gay marriage in New York State.

Senator Storobin was sworn into office two weeks ago after defeating New York City Councilman Lew Fidler in the closest election Brooklyn’s history has ever seen.

As the Senator who has taken the lead to oppose gay marriage in New York, I thank Senator Storobin for giving me the opportunity to join him as a co-sponsor to this historic and pending piece of legislation.

You should also know that so far – as of today – it is only Senator Storobin and me who support this legislation.  It will be a difficult and uphill battle.  Nonetheless, our struggle will continue as we work to get 30 more Senators to join us.  We are not giving up.

As the saying goes, it isn’t over until it’s over!

I am Senator Reverend Ruben Diaz and this is what you should know.

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13th Congressional Race Prediction

      Tomorrow is the new federal election primary day Tuesday June 26th and the polls will be open from 8 AM to 9 PM. The Republican Party will be choosing a candidate to run for U.S. Senate (to run against current U.S. Senator Kristen Gillabrand) from the three candidates running, and there are close Democratic primaries for congress in several congressional district such as the new 13th C.D. We took out our crystal ball and asked it to give us the results of the 13th C.D. race.
    

      Our crystal balls prediction in the 13th C.D. Democratic Primary is as follows. Mr. Craig Schley who ran in the 2010 general election on the Independence Party line and not in the Democratic Primary in 2010 will come in fifth place with up to 8 percent of the vote. Ms. Joyce Johnson has lost some of her luster from 2010 (including the endorsement of the New York Times), and in 2012 will garner less than 10 percent of the vote. Any of the remaining three candidates could win this race, but we see Mr. Clyde Williams coming in third with between 15 and 19 percent of the vote. That leaves close to 65 percent of the vote for Congressman Rangel and Senator Espaillat to split. Our crystal ball kept changing here, but when we asked it for the final tally and the winner it came up 36 percent for the new Congressman Adriano Espaillat and 29 percent for Mr. Charlie Rangel. Our crystal ball also had a message for Manhattan Democratic County Leader Assemblyman Keith Wright. The message for Mr. Wright was that next time you should make sure that there is more than one Latino in the race to split the Latino vote if you want to win the seat. Our crystal ball says that you have such a candidate. 

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Bronx Borough President's Caribbean Heritage Celebration

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LIU: BIKE SHARE PROGRAM PEDALS PAST SAFETY MEASURES

10,000 bicycles could lead to more injuries, fatalities and increased legal claims  

 

  City Comptroller John C. Liu today released a comprehensive plan to help ensure the City’s Bike Share program, “Citi Bike,” is safe for cyclists, pedestrians and motorists alike.  Nearly a month before the first 7,000 bicycles are set to hit the City’s streets, Liu put forth the recommendations designed to increase safety and reduce the City’s exposure to lawsuits.

“In the rush to place ten thousand bicycles on our streets, City Hall may have pedaled past safety measures, a move that risks significantly exacerbating the number of injuries and fatalities of both bikers and pedestrians, especially those most vulnerable like young children and seniors,” Comptroller Liu said.  “Aside from the human toll, there is a real possibility that the Bike Share program will increase the number of legal claims against the City.” 

Comptroller Liu announced his plan at a news conference in his office in Lower Manhattan, just blocks away from one of the City’s most dangerous intersection for cyclists, Delancey and Essex Streets.

Research has highlighted the dangers of bicycling in New York City. Specifically, recent studies have found that over a third of bicyclists run red lights, bike lines are blocked 60 percent of the time by cars, trucks, and taxis and that New York City is one of the most dangerous cities in the United States for bicyclists.

Liu’s report titled “Bike Share in the City: A Comprehensive Safety Plan” can be found at www.comptroller.nyc.gov, and outlines a number of recommendations to ensure the physical health of riders and the fiscal health of the City.

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Kingsbridge Road Merchants Association

1^ST ANNUAL UNITY IN THE COMMUNITY FESTIVAL

 

  The 1^st Annual Unity in the Community Festival, a free community event taking place on Saturday, June 23rd, 2012 from 12PM to 6PM, on Aqueduct Avenue between W. Kingsbridge Road and W. 192^nd Street, is presented by the Kingsbridge Road Merchants Association in conjunction with the Mosholu Preservation Corporation, Montefiore Medical Center & the Avenue NYC Program of the New York City Department of Small Business Services, with the support of Bronx Community Board #7, Bronx Community Board #8, BronxNet, Jewish Home Lifecare, Latin Empire Entertainment, Mekong, the United Federation of Teachers, and United Healthcare.

Home to the iconic Kingsbridge Armory, the Kingsbridge Road community consists of over 200 merchants, one of the largest retail shopping districts in the Bronx. Rich in cultural diversity, this neighborhood also boasts top notch eateries throughout the area. The Kingsbridge Road community is the center of education, with campuses for Monroe College, Bronx Community College and Lehman HS.

The purpose of this event is to celebrate community unity and raise awareness on the diverse array of merchants in this district. This first annual event will feature live music and entertainment, showcasing New York City’s most popular and up & coming artists. The show will be hosted by Bharati Kemraj (Bharati Dance Academy) and Harlem Lanes’ most popular DJ, Krazy Rob. From Salsa to Hip-Hop, and everything in between, this special line-up includes rappers Farfecthed, Tone Da Rapper, and D-Minus, Italian Hip Hop artist, SALESE, Bronx native Yamilet Mia, Latin sensation, Anayka, various BX Records artists, Latin music’s newest duo, ICC & J-Alva, as well as a special performance by the BHARATI Dance Academy.

The Unity In The Community Festival will also feature merchants, vendors, kiddie rides, health screenings, free gifts and give-aways, and lots of food!

Left - Just some of the crowd.

Right - State Senator Gustavo Rivera poses for picture with Community Board # 8 Economic Development Chair Sergio Villevarde and 78th Assembly candidate Richardo "Ricky" Martinez.

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2012 Bronx Business Expo

     The Bronx Chamber of Commerce 2012 Business Expo held at the New York Botanical Garden on Tuesday June 19th was a huge success according to Mr. Lenny Caro, President & CEO of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. That feeling was echoed by those who exhibited and the many many people who came to view the expo. Workshops were set up as the expo got under way on MBWE minority Certification, 4G Technology, and the NY Area Energy Outlook. A video produced by Bronx Net Television of just how the Bronx has grown since BP Diaz took the helm of the Bronx.      New York State Lieutenant Governor Robert Duffy, NYC Deputy Mayor Carol Robles, and NYC Department of Small Business Services Assistant Commissioner Greg Bishop joined Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Lenny Caro, and Joesph Kelleher of the Bronx Chamber of Commerce. Over 75 very different companies and service providers from Affinity Health Plan to Webster Bank In his speech to the audience BP Diaz said that business in the Bronx is growing. Diaz mentioned that the J.C. Penny store in Bay Plaza is the number one store for the company in the nation. The Target Store at West 225th Street is the number three store in the chain nationwide, and that the BJ's at the Gateway Mall is the number three store again nationwide. He added that is probably why BJ's is so eager to open another store at the new Riverdale Crossings mall that will replace that old Stella Doro cookie factory. Diaz also mentioned that a new Marriott hotel will soon open up in the Hutch Metro Center as the center expands to include a large size convention center and more retail and office space. As they spoke Lt. Governor Duffy, Deputy Mayor Robles, and SBA Assistant Commissioner Bishop had only words of praise for the Bronx Chamber of Commerce, the Bronx Overall Economic Development Council, and Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.

 

 BP Diaz poses for photo as he viewed the exhibitors.

      

Left - BP Diaz addressing the 2012 Business Expo.

Right - A group photo starting from the left is Mr. Lenny Caro, Lt. Gov. Robert Duffy, Bronx BP Ruben Diaz Jr., Asst. Commissioner Greg Bishop, Deputy Mayor Carol Robles, and Mr. Joseph Kelleher.

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Senator Rivera and Assemblyman Dinowitz Pass Smoking Ban Legislation

Legislation Bans Smoking Within 100 Feet of School Entrances and Exits

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and State Senator Gustavo Rivera announced yesterday afternoon legislation  A.10141-B/S.6854-B passed in both the State Assembly (102-2) and the State Senate (54-2). This legislation was the first of Senator Rivera’s health bills that was developed from dialogue with health partners and community members during the 2011 Bronx CAN Health Initiative.

“The Bronx has the lowest youth smoking rate of New York City, however, in order to keep our youth safe from smoking-related disease, we have to also work toward limiting children’s exposure to secondhand smoke,” said State Senator Gustavo Rivera. “This legislation [S.6854-B] does just that, by extending the ban on smoking within schools to a ban on smoking within 100 feet of school entrances and exits. I am proud this bill was a product of my work with Bronx elected officials and local community health organizations as part of the Bronx CAN Health Initiative.”

Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz, sponsor of the legislation in the Assembly, said, “New York State successfully banned smoking indoors to protect all New Yorkers from the harmful side effects of secondhand smoke. This bill [A.10141-B] seeks to further protect our youth who are now exposed to secondhand smoke at entrances and exits of their school buildings from unwanted exposure. Smoking is particularly dangerous to children. This bill will help to protect them from the scourge of secondhand smoke.”

“I'd like to congratulate Senator Gustavo Rivera, Assemblyman Jeffrey Dinowitz and their colleagues that supported S.6854/A.10141-B on the floor of the State Legislature yesterday evening,” said Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr. “This bill is the first of a comprehensive legislative agenda grown from our Bronx CAN Health Initiative now in its second year. We are uniting all levels of government, community based organizations and social service entities to put forth an aggressive health and wellness campaign for our borough to serve as a model for our city and state.”

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