Property Tax Lawsuit, That Alligator Motel, Carman – Tuesday’s Roundup

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Property Tax Lawsuit
The lawsuit filed by Atlantic County and municipal officials against Atlantic City and the state over property taxes is at a “critical stage” according to one of the parties who first filed the suit. Judge Mendez is expected to make a decision next month in the case that alleges the Casino Property Tax Stabilization Act (which allows the Atlantic City casinos and some other big properties to make a Payment In Lieu of Taxes – PILOT – rather than pay property taxes) is unconstitutional. Seth Grossman, executive director of the Tea Party-affiliated group Liberty & Prosperity, first filed suit against the city and state in this matter in 2016. That case was combined this year by a lawsuit filed by Atlantic County, Somers Point, Hamilton Township, Egg Harbor Township, Absecon, Ventnor and Weymouth Township. The PILOT arrangement means that retailers Bass Pro Shops, The Walk (Tanger Outlets) and the casinos, are paying less into the city’s and county’s coffers. As a result, other property owners have seen their taxes rise sharply to offset the lost revenue. The PILOT legislation was passed by the state after casino closures and the industry’s declining fortunes saw casinos’ win multiple tax appeals that Atlantic City could not pay. Read more on Grossman’s comments via ACPrimeTime. Read the latest from the city on the lawsuit in its most recent debt issuance filing. And read our interview with Grossman from last year here.

The view from Ventnor pier, by Devon McCabe (@devon_inspirephotos on Instagram).

That Alligator Motel
Remember the Bayview Inn, which was condemned to demolition after two suspicious fires, a drug raid and – yes – an alligator? Well, it’s still standing. But probably not for long. The demolition process will begin Nov. 12 unless the owners return to secure, renovate or obtain a certificate of occupancy, Lynda Cohen reports for BreakingAC.com.

Carman
Remember that Atlantic County freeholder who, after President Trump’s inauguration, shared the meme “Will the women’s protest be over in time for them to cook dinner?” And then he had to apologize for wearing a patch of New Jersey, with South Jersey covered by the confederate flag? Anyhow, he’s now the butt of bigger jokes, the Inquirer’s Amy Rosenberg reports.

In the rest of the day’s news, CRDA’s board will talk public safety in a closed session at this afternoon’s meetingSouth Jersey Industries (aka South Jersey Gas) is paying $1.7 billion to buy two more gas companies (one in New Jersey, one in Maryland),  Monroe Township students are headed back to school after the mold crisis, the Cape May County Bridge Commission is finally installing E-ZPass on its five bridges, and three properties on Belfield Avenue in Atlantic City will be demolished. All that and more below:

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