Statement from PILOT Action Group on FY18 Numbers
Our report "Boston’s PILOT Program: A Fair Deal for Boston Residents?" attempts to jumpstart a city-wide conversation on our city’s wealthiest neighbors and their role in helping to build a more sustainable, more equitable and thriving Boston for all Bostonians. With the City’s late release of its FY18 PILOT numbers, it is clear this report is more relevant than ever in continuing the conversation started by great work at the Globe’s Spotlight series on race in Boston and these institutions’ role in Boston, and in particular with our communities of color.
While the report analyzes numbers up until the latest available FY17, a look at FY18 numbers suggest not much has changed. Our wealthiest neighbors still continue a downward trend of requested cash contribution to PILOTs, down from over 90% in FY12 to about 66% in FY18. It is worth noting, nonprofit institutions in the PILOT guidelines had ample time to plan for these contributions. In fact— as this report notes— the City continues to undervalue PILOT-requested institutions’ property value, neglecting to reassess property values after five years of the program, as prescribed in the PILOT guidelines.
We stand by the findings of the report, that includes in-depth analysis of the last 6 years of the PILOT program as well as data on our wealthiest institutions’ ability to pay. The PAG will continue to advocate for the greater participation and engagement of these institutions as our communities confront the daily challenges of the growing inequality and growing divide in our city.
Lastly, it is unfortunate the latest PILOT reporting by the city abandons 6 years of previous transparency and accounting of the differences between cash and community benefit PILOTs, previously separate in the City’s reporting. This makes it difficult for residents to distinguish between the two PILOT categories. Community benefit reports are still yet to be posted for FY18. These and other issues of oversight are covered in this report’s recommendations.
Our report "Boston’s PILOT Program: A Fair Deal for Boston Residents?" attempts to jumpstart a city-wide conversation on our city’s wealthiest neighbors and their role in helping to build a more sustainable, more equitable and thriving Boston for all Bostonians. With the City’s late release of its FY18 PILOT numbers, it is clear this report is more relevant than ever in continuing the conversation started by great work at the Globe’s Spotlight series on race in Boston and these institutions’ role in Boston, and in particular with our communities of color.
While the report analyzes numbers up until the latest available FY17, a look at FY18 numbers suggest not much has changed. Our wealthiest neighbors still continue a downward trend of requested cash contribution to PILOTs, down from over 90% in FY12 to about 66% in FY18. It is worth noting, nonprofit institutions in the PILOT guidelines had ample time to plan for these contributions. In fact— as this report notes— the City continues to undervalue PILOT-requested institutions’ property value, neglecting to reassess property values after five years of the program, as prescribed in the PILOT guidelines.
We stand by the findings of the report, that includes in-depth analysis of the last 6 years of the PILOT program as well as data on our wealthiest institutions’ ability to pay. The PAG will continue to advocate for the greater participation and engagement of these institutions as our communities confront the daily challenges of the growing inequality and growing divide in our city.
Lastly, it is unfortunate the latest PILOT reporting by the city abandons 6 years of previous transparency and accounting of the differences between cash and community benefit PILOTs, previously separate in the City’s reporting. This makes it difficult for residents to distinguish between the two PILOT categories. Community benefit reports are still yet to be posted for FY18. These and other issues of oversight are covered in this report’s recommendations.