The Eugene City Council Wednesday voted to extend the suspension of giving tax breaks to developers of multi-unit housing projects.
The City Council suspended the controversial Multi-Unit Property Tax Exemption, or MUPTE, nearly two years ago. That suspension was set to expire at the end of the month. The city is in the process of making revisions to the 10-year property tax waiver. Supporters say the program is needed to help spur development and housing density. Critics say it gives away tax revenue the city needs for basic services. At Wednesday's work session, Councilor George Poling made a motion to let the MUPTE suspension expire because developers are waiting in the wings. But Poling's idea was voted down. Councilor George Brown says construction has continued without the tax exemption.
Brown: "There's been development on Coburg; there's been several projects in the University area. There's a huge one going in on Garden Way off of Franklin. There's lots of, lots of multi-family housing is being built without MUPTE."
The council voted 5 to 1 to extend the suspension of MUPTE until February 28, 2015. Poling did not vote for the extension.