Authorizing City Council's Committees on Public Health and Human Services and Commerce and Economic Development to consider the City of Philadelphia's revenue collection and regulatory policies for businesses and property owners to support economic recovery from the COVID-19 crisis.

WHEREAS, The City of Philadelphia will need a comprehensive business recovery plan, with targeted strategies for revenue collections and regulations related to the needs of our new economy; and

WHEREAS, Philadelphia business and property owners, including many not eligible for federal aid or forbearance, are fighting for the livelihood of their businesses and employees; and

WHEREAS, The City is not expected to meet initial collections projections for this fiscal year, and projects additional shortfalls in the forthcoming fiscal year; and

WHEREAS, The City can support economic stability

and

increased revenues by providing a pathway to compliance that accounts for the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 on income and expenditures for businesses and property owners within the new economy; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Revenue’s business collection program can meet business owners where they are, by offering, in lieu of amnesty, realistic payment plans that provide a pathway to compliance without deposits, penalties, or interest; and

WHEREAS, The Department of Revenue’s real estate collection program can also meet property owners where they are, by offering, in addition to the extended June 15th collection deadline, zero-interest payment plans, also without deposits, penalties, or interest; and

WHEREAS, The Departments of Public Health and Licenses and Inspection’s business regulations, including policies on takeout restaurants and outdoor dining, can also meet owners where they are, by offering guidance and support for owners in need of economic sustenance; and

WHEREAS, The City should consider, in addition to regulations and collections practices, revising any cumbersome administrative burdens, to support the economic restart; and

WHEREAS, The City’s comprehensive realignment of rules, regulations, and guidance will ultimately secure a healthy and sustainable path to economic recovery for property owners, businesses, and employees, provided we focus on prioritizing and supporting their ability to make difficult economic decisions about reopening; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, THAT THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, Authorizes the Committees on Public Health and Human Services and Commerce and Economic Development to consider the City’s policies regarding business and property revenue collection and regulation.

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