The tax bills based on these assessments often bear no relationship to reality. In fact, one BRT member, former state Supreme Court Justice Russell M. Nigro, acknowledges the assessment system is "fundamentally broken."
The proposal, wholeheartedly supported by Mayor Nutter, to break up and revamp the BRT may not mean lower taxes for every voter, but it should mean that property assessments eventually will be based on more accurate and fair data. Another goal of the overhaul of the BRT will be to wring out patronage hiring, which historically has hampered the board from doing its job professionally.
Even amid the clamor for reform, the politically appointed board members at the BRT have tried to hang on to their power - yet one more reason to push ahead with the overhaul.
In his call for a YES vote on the ballot question to amend the City Charter, the mayor urged support from "any Philadelphian who cares about a fair, accurate, legitimate property-assessment system." That should cover anyone who enters a voting booth.
Three other ballot questions are worthy of YES votes. Respectively, the proposals aim to help the city operate more efficiently, fund critical infrastructure needs, and expand City Hall's commitment to economic opportunity for local, minority-owned, and other disadvantaged businesses.
Another charter change would make for a more nimble Zoning Board of Appeals by reducing the board to five members from six, easing zoning delays encountered now due to the lack of a voting quorum on the board.
Also with voters' approval, the city would raise $65 million for repairs to transit and other city facilities, park improvements, and various economic development initiatives.
Finally, a third charter change would extend City Council authority to enact "economic opportunity goals" that promote diversity in non-bid and professional-services contracts, as done now with city work that's competitively bid.
