[1]
Prior legislation: Ord. 96-05.
Code reviser's note: At the October 3, 2023, election, voters approved Proposition H-2, an initiative to equalize the real property tax exemption provided to Matanuska-Susitna Borough residents for seniors, widowers and disabled veterans in the city of Houston. Contact the city or borough for more information.
A. 
Pursuit to ballot referendum conducted pursuant to AS 29.45.590 approved at a regular election of October 3, 1989, the City of Houston is authorized to collect on real and personal property tax at a levy rate not to exceed one-half mil of the assessed value of the property taxed to raise revenue for the operation and maintenance of the City's Fire Department. Such authority shall remain in effect until such time that it is repealed by referendum.
B. 
In addition to the levy provided by subsection (A) of this section, and pursuant to a ballot referendum conducted pursuant to AS 29.45.590 approved at a special election of December 19, 2000, the City of Houston is authorized to collect on real and personal property tax at a levy rate not to exceed two and one-half mils of the assessed value of the property taxed to raise revenue for the maintenance and/or improvements of the City roads and such authority shall remain in effect until such time that it is repealed by referendum.
C. 
By this section, the Council of the City of Houston is empowered to assess, levy and collect a general property tax, on real and personal property within the Houston City limits, as authorized by the referendums referred to above or as may be approved by ballot in the future. The assessments, levy and collection of property tax shall be in conformance with the procedures and limitations set forth by Title 29 AS. The rate of levy of the general property tax may be set by ordinance as part of the annual budget adoption ordinance or may be fixed by resolution as authorized by AS 29.45.240(a). The property tax shall generally be administered and collected in the manner provided by the ordinances of the Matanuska-Susitna Borough.
D. 
The City Council shall, by June 15th of each year, present to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough Assembly a statement of the City's rate of levy unless a different date is agreed upon by the Borough and the City.
E. 
Until such time that the financial situation of the City has developed to the point that it can consider adopting optional exemptions and exclusions as are described in AS 29.45.050 without placing City residents at risk of threatening public peace, health and safety, the City of Houston cannot adjust its property tax structure in whole or in part to the property tax structure of the borough by exempting or partially exempting property from taxation and accept or adopt optional and additional exemptions above the $150,000 exemption mandated by AS 29.45.030(E).
(Ord. 97-06, 1997; Ord. 98-04, 1998; Ord. 00-05, 2000; Ord. 15-08 § 4, 2015)
Pursuant to AS 29.45.050(C), the City adjusts the types of personal property subject to the real and personal property tax by exempting all personal property. Real property is to remain subject to the property tax. This exemption is expressly intended to operate without, in any manner, invalidating the existing authority of the City Council as established by the authorizing referendum ballots. Therefore, the City personal property tax can be reinstated by a simple future amendment of the ordinance codified in this chapter, without the need to hold a new authorizing ballot proposition.
(Ord. 97-06, 1997; Ord. 98-04, 1998)
Motor vehicles shall be subject to the Matanuska-Susitna Borough motor vehicle registration tax, pursuant to the MSB code and levied and collected by the state in accordance with AS 28.10.431. As provided by AS 28.10.431(f), revenue received by the Matanuska-Susitna Borough shall be allocated to the City.
(Ord. 97-06, 1997; Ord. 98-04, 1998)