It just goes to show how much this administration cares about their constituents. I received numerous questions from readers about the ongoing property revaluation process; in order to get the information right, I submitted to our Assessor (Anne Gradoia) a list of very easy questions in writing about 2 weeks ago. I stipulated that I would report her answers unedited.[Sound of crickets in the background]
Wonder how much longer we need to wait...or if we'll get our answers once the process is done.
I'll post the actual questions later today.
UPDATE: OK, here are the SEVEN questions asked of Ms. Gradoia:
1) What is the schedule for property revaluation? Is there a calendar that specific streets will be canvassed?
2) Can the appointment be rescheduled if the revaluator arrives and the homeowner is not available? If so, how does the homeowner go about rescheduling?
3) What will happen if the valuator cannot inspect the property?
4) How does a homeowner challenge the findings of the valuator?
5) Is this the same as a property code inspection?
6) Can a tenant allow the valuator into the building without the owner's permission?
7) Will the schedule be placed on the City website?
I suppose we can guess the answer to that last question....
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3 comments:
Apparently the mayor has a facebook page I posed a question about property taxes and here is the response I go:
I am Tara Picard, writing this on behalf of John Picard ---
As I am sure you know, the mill rate is based on the City's Grand List and the City's Budget. Over the past 4 years, we have been able to hold the line on the City's spending, which has enabled us to hold the mill rate even.
While the recession has certainly affected the residential real estate market, the new property values will not create the City's Grand List until we undergo a new re-evaluation. At that point, if your property value decreased by a greater percentage than the overall decrease of the City's Grand List, you will see a reduction in your taxes at that point.
In the meantime, we are paying down our debt, controlling our operating expenses and we have stopped borrowing money for EVERY city project. Currently, we are paying between $15 - 20 million dollars a year in debt service on the borrowing that took place prior to our administration. This is between 4 and 6 mils for each tax payer. So, as you can see...if we keep behaving in a fiscally conservative manner, we should see the City's expenses go down, which in time should translate to a tax savings for everyone.
This is one of the most important topics of the Picard administrations.
I hope this information has been helpful. If you have any other questions, please let me know.
I have forwarded a coy of this e-mail chain to John.
Nice to know she has the talking points written down.
Obviously, you got about as much info as anyone else, so far....
Everybody's property value has decreased in WH (10-30%), just like in the USA. Will it cost any less to run the city now? So how will property taxes decrease? HMMMMMMM
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