QUINCY ‒ City homeowners will see their tax bills increase again this year as Quincy’s budget and home values continue to rise.
The tax bill on the median single-family home will rise by $320.40, or 4.6%, from $6,944.57 in fiscal 2024 to $7,264.98 in fiscal 2025, according to Municipal Finance Director Eric Mason.
The value of the median home rose from about $616,200 to $630,100.
On Dec. 2, city council voted unanimously to adopt a split tax rate known as the “minimum residential factor,” which shifts as much of the tax burden as is permissible under state law from residential to commercial and industrial property owners. Quincy has used the “minimum residential factor” since 1984.
Cities could shift even more of the tax levy onto commercial properties, but that would require approval from the state legislature and the governor. This year, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu petitioned the legislature to make such a change in Boston, saying declines in commercial property values will otherwise cause a spike in residential property taxes.
For fiscal 2025, Quincy will tax residential property at a rate of $11.53 per $1,000 of assessed value, up from $11.27 in fiscal 2024.
“The resident is the person we’re trying to protect with that number, $11.53,” said Ward 1 Councilor Dave McCarthy. “That’s the goal – the lowest possible (tax rate) for the residents of Quincy.”
Commercial and industrial properties will pay a rate of $23.01, up from $22.45 last year.
Quincy property values are on the rise
The tax rate is a function of the budget and total assessed property value within the city. Residential property accounts for almost 86% of that value, with commercial, industrial and personal property making up the rest.
Over the past year, all property in Quincy increased in value, but commercial increased at a greater rate than residential. According to city data, commercial increased by 5.29% compared to 4.5% growth in residential.
Within the residential category, the value of large multi-family properties increased at a higher rate than single-, two- and three-family homes. For instance, mixed-use properties combining apartments and commercial space grew by 18.9% and apartment buildings grew by 6.4%.
The growth of multi-family residential properties, driven largely by new developments, effectively decreased the tax bill on the single-family by about $75, according to the municipal finance department.
Such new developments include the completion of FoxRock’s 465-unit Ashlar Park on Whitwell Street, the completion of Bozutto and Atlantic Development’s 255-unit The Abby on Hancock Street in North Quincy and FoxRock’s Center and Stone 267-unit mixed-use development in the city center.
Quincy residents concerned over rising tax bills, especially for seniors
During the public hearing portion of the Dec. 2 council meeting, residents raised concerns over the financial stress to seniors on fixed incomes caused by rising property tax bills.
Many also criticized the format of the public hearing itself, during which council president Ian Cain interrupted speakers who digressed from the tax rate to speak on other related topics, such as the city’s spending and debt levels.
Resident Mike Cotter suggested a “sliding scale” tax rate based on income for senior citizens, “so they’re not increasingly taxed out of their homes.”
How seniors can save money on their taxes
A host of tax abatements are available for the elderly, disabled veterans, the blind, surviving spouses and orphans, according to a city webpage. Exemptions for seniors range from $350 to $500 and are subject to varying income and asset limits.
Councilor-at-large Noel DiBona noted that eligible seniors can also avail themselves of the state’s “Senior Circuit Breaker Tax Credit,” which is available to both renters and home owners.
“For people on fixed incomes over 65, here’s another tool in the tool box,” he said. “It’s worth a shot to Google it.”
Quincy’s spending criticized
City resident Kathy Thrun said the root of higher taxes is not the tax rate, but the city’s spending.
“When you spend more than you have, you have to take on a lot of debt or you have to increase revenue, which means increasing property taxes,” she said.
Thrun named “pocket parks” and “statues” as examples of unnecessary spending. “How many more statues does Quincy need?” she asked.
Ward 4 Councilor Jim Devine said that the city often pays for statues through other funding sources.
“Those aren’t coming out of residential taxes,” he said. The latest statue and park, the Lone Sailor monument in Marina Bay, was paid for out of the city’s hotel/motel tax, according to the municipal finance department.
Quincy City Council passes $7.87 million in tax relief
The council unanimously approved three orders that effectively lower individual tax bills by lowering the overall budget.
The largest of the three drew $4.2 million from surplus pension reserves to pay down the budget. The other two drew $2 million from the city’s “free cash” account and additional $1.67 million from 565 closed purchase orders dating back to 2014.
In all, the three orders will reduce tax bills by an average of $183.25, according to the city’s finance department.
Last year, the council passed similar orders totaling $13.2 million in tax relief.
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Reach Peter Blandino at pblandino@patriotledger.com.
