Most Boston Colleges Fall Short of City Funding Requests

Thirteen of 19 colleges and universities from which Boston sought voluntary payments in lieu of property taxes this year paid less than the city asked for, The Boston Globe writes.

City officials released data Tuesday related to a policy implemented in 2011, under which Boston requests twice-yearly payments from nonprofits with more than $15 million in tax-exempt property to help offset the cost of providing police, fire, and other services.

Seven of the higher-education institutions, including Northeastern University and Boston College, paid less than a quarter of what the city sought. As was the case last year, big nonprofit hospitals were more forthcoming, with 11 of 16 meeting the full municipal request. Colleges said they already provide significant benefits to the city as major employers and operators of youth and other community programs. Bonnie McGilpin, a spokeswoman for Mayor Martin J. Walsh, said the city “will seek to engage our colleges and universities to encourage greater participation.”