HomeMy WebLinkAbout04. PILOT - Oshkosh PILOT Program Explanation draft3/5/2021 Program Explanation
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PILOT Payment In Lieu of Taxes
A Sense of Community
While they share in a full range of city services, tax exempt properties do not contribute to the operation of city government
to the same extent that non-exempt properties do.
Wisconsin law defines properties eligible for tax exemption. Owners of properties that meet the legal criteria for
exemption are not required to pay local property taxes.
Some exempt property owners, however, choose to make a “payment in lieu of taxes”, or PILOT. While they are not
obligated to pay property taxes, they acknowledge the local government services they receive and agree to a voluntary
payment.
PILOTs reflect an exempt owner’s sense of community. Those who make PILOTs recognize they benefit from the police
and fire departments; they use city infrastructure; and they know city government requires resources to promote
development and keep residents healthy.
The City of Oshkosh asks exempt property owners to consider making a “Fair Share” payment. A Fair Share PILOT is an
agreed upon commitment by a tax exempt property owner to pay, annually, a portion of the amount that would be due in
taxes if the property were not exempt.
Exempt property owners who provide community services benefitting the City and its residents could be eligible for a
credit that decreases the amount that makes up a Fair Share payment.
Does Oshkosh have a need for PILOTS?
More than $4.5-billion of real estate is tax exempt in the City of Oshkosh, comprising approximately 17-
22% of the city’s total real estate value. Both the number of exempt properties and the total value of those properties
continues to climb. At present there are over 9,800 exempt parcels in the City of Oshkosh.
While tax exempt properties owners are legally entitled to their exemptions, their properties are not counted in the
city’s tax base. That means the tax rate paid by other property owners is higher than it would be if exempt properties
were included in the tax base.
There are no exempt properties have entered into agreements with the City of Oshkosh to make payments in lieu of taxes
as of January 1, 2021.
Are other cities using PILOT agreements?
The City of Milwaukee
The Boston Experience
Making Tax Incentive Work – Lessons from Boston, Massachusetts
– published in Land Line magazine April 2017
Nonprofits, the Property Tax, and PILOTS in New England
Nonprofit PILOTS – Policy Brief– by Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
Which Nonprofits make PILOTs and Which Localities receive them?
List of Resources on Nonprofit Payments in Lieu of Taxes from the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy
(Internal Link)
The Municipal Fiscal Crisis and Payments in Lieu of Taxes by Nonprofits
Payments in Lieu of Taxes, Balancing Municipal and Nonprofit Interests, Policy Focus Report
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What types of Oshkosh organizations are currently making payments and what types of agreements
are used? Private developers have used Private Development Agreements (used when properties are being newly
constructed or redeveloped) – usually created by City Attorney’s office
Department of Transportation Municipal Services payments
Fair Share agreements are used by property tax exempt organizations
Oshkosh Housing Authority - payments are typically for public services and facilities furnished to the
properties
Voluntary payments by residents of exempt properties – a form of Fair Share Agreement
Water Utility Payments - the City receives annual payments from this other government agency
University of Wisconsin – the City received state aid payments that are intended to cover a portion of the cost of
providing city services to the University, formal PILOT agreements are in place
How can I or my organization apply?
See Step by Step Guide
Sample Fair Share PILOT Agreement