Oakland commission adopts resolution to retain authority over Live Local Act exemption

The Town Commission adopted Resolution No. 2025-14 electing not to grant a state-created multifamily property tax exemption (described in the meeting as the "Live Local Act" exemption) for the upcoming tax roll unless the commission affirmatively chooses to opt in later.

Town staff explained the statute allows taxing authorities to opt out by adopting a local resolution or ordinance before January 1 of the tax year. Staff said the action is conditional because the town needs the annual housing report (noted in the meeting as delayed) to evaluate whether the town would qualify to grant such exemptions in future years. The staff presentation also said the opt-out resolution must be renewed annually after the town reviews the Shimberg Center for Housing Studies report and that adoption requires a two-thirds vote of the commission.

A motion was made to adopt Resolution No. 2025-14 and was seconded. The transcript records at least one affirmative voice vote ("Aye" from Paul Pepper) and the chair moved on to the next agenda item. The public record in the transcript does not include a line-by-line roll-call tally, so the meeting minutes should be consulted for the full recorded vote and any dissenting votes.

Staff characterized this adoption as preserving the town’s future discretion: by adopting the opt-out resolution before the statutory deadline the town preserves the option to consider exemptions in subsequent years after reviewing the required housing report rather than being automatically bound by the state exemption language.