Mayor Frank G. Jackson and Cleveland City Council Select Consulting Team for New Tax Policy Study

CLEVELAND – Mayor Frank G. Jackson and Cleveland City Council today announced the selection of a consulting team comprised of Reinvestment Fund, PFM Group Consulting and Greater Ohio Policy Center, to complete a comprehensive study on the City’s property tax policy and abatement program. Leverage Development and Neighborhood Connections will lead the resident engagement.

Selected from an applicant pool of local and national experts, Reinvestment Fund –who will lead the team –Greater Ohio Policy Center, and PFM Group collectively bring decades of experience in housing market analysis, fiscal analysis, community engagement and close collaboration with public sector agencies.

The study, overseen by the Department of Community Development, is one component of the City of Cleveland’s new Equitable Community Development Strategy that aims to cultivate more racial and economically inclusive neighborhoods with affordable housing through strategic, citywide policies.

The study will assess:

1. What will continue to promote development and housing options for neighborhoods across the City;
2. How to protect current, long-term residents from displacement;
3. What kind of tools should be in a strategic toolkit that is responsive to different neighborhoods and/or leverage various assets like transit and jobs; and
4. What property tax policies will be more equitable and responsive to current market conditions?

The study and its recommendations must be co-generated with and by the community. The consulting team will coordinate closely with Leverage Development and Neighborhood Connections, who will manage a robust resident engagement plan. The resident engagement plan will include focus groups, one-on-one interviews, and community meetings. Meeting information will be shared as it is available.

The study is anticipated to be completed later this year.

About the City of Cleveland

The City of Cleveland is committed to improving the quality of life of its residents by strengthening neighborhoods, delivering superior services, embracing diversity and making Cleveland a desirable, safe city in which to live, work, play, and do business. For more information on the City of Cleveland, visit online at www.city.cleveland.oh.us, Twitter at @cityofcleveland or Facebook at www.facebook.com/cityofcleveland.

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