Date: Fri 12-Jan-1996

Publication: Bee

Author: KAAREN

Quick Words:

revaluation-appeals

Full Text:

Fewer People Than Expected Are Appealing Revaluations

B Y K AAREN V ALENTA

If the past two weeks are any indication, appeals by property owners over the

results of the 1995 revaluation appear to be less than the six percent average

in most communities.

John Valente of Lesher-Glendinning Municipal Services, the firm that was hired

to do the revaluation, said this week that he hasn't been swamped by requests

for informal hearings.

"I don't have the exact numbers, but the requests so far seem to be running

well below six percent," he said. "Many of the property owners who have

scheduled appointments so far were only looking for information or

explanations, not necessarily contesting their assessments."

"And we actually had one property owner come in who didn't feel his assessment

was high enough," he added.

Tax Assessor Mark E. DeVestern said, however, that it's really too soon to say

for sure how satisfied property owners are and whether the request for

hearings will pick up. Revaluation notices were mailed out in two batches, he

said, and last weekend's storm may have influenced the response.

A special telephone line, 270-1939, has been set up by the revaluation firm to

schedule informal hearings for property owners who believe their new

assessments do not reflect the current value of their property.

After the informal hearings, the information presented by the property owners

will be reviewed by the revaluation firm and by Mr DeVestern. The property

owners will be notified in late January or early February whether or not a

reduction has been made in their assessments.

Mr DeVestern said that when the grand list is completed, probably on January

31, the revaluation cards will be in his office and available for those

property owners who want copies. Until then, these cards, which show how the

assessments were calculated, are considered working documents and are in the

possession of the revaluation firm, Mr DeVestern said.

The grand list shows the total value of taxable property in town.

Property owners who are not satisfied by the results of their informal

hearings, may take their case to the Board of Assessment Appeals, which will

hold hearings during March. Requests for these hearings must be made, in

writing, to the board by February 20. Forms for this purpose will be available

in the assessor's office at Edmond Town Hall in early February.

Market values of property in Newtown have increased an average of 40 percent

since the last revaluation was done in 1985, according to Mr DeVestern. But

the revaluation doesn't necessarily mean that tax bills will be higher. As

assessments go up in a revaluation, the tax rate typically goes down, he said.

The current tax rate is 32 mills, or $32 for every $1,000 of assessed property

value. When the grand list is completed, the new mill rate will be determined.