| Author | Message | ||
     Alidah |
Do I understand correctly that our assessments will be adjusted annually because of the database that CVI has created? If values go upwards or downwards on a neighborhood basis, will all values be adjusted accordingly? | ||
| Gerardryan |
Alidah the reval FAQ discusses this point I think. Click "Topics" then "Maplewood Reval" and you'll see links to the FAQs at the top of the page. HTH | ||
| Mlj |
Jerry, Does your above response mean that there is no simple "yes" or "no" for this question? Thanks. | ||
| Lseltzer |
I think Jerry's response means that people should read the FAQ (Part I and Part II) rather than expect him to answer the same questions over and over again. If you had read it you wouldn't have had to ask your question either. | ||
| Mlj |
Actually, I have read and printed out the info. and have it in a folder with lots of other info. both general, and personal, regarding the revaluation. I was not aware that this was one of the questions asked over and over again. Nor am I confident that I am up to the minute on the status of the various issues, as they evolve. | ||
| Alidah |
Thanks Jerry. I did read that section, but it's vague. Does anyone know if our assessments will be adjusted annually based on sales data going forward? How often will our properties be evaluated? What would be the basis for an adjustment? | ||
| Gerardryan |
Alidah et al. The reason a reval is needed is because different parts of town appreciate in value at different rates. This is shown by sales info. As I understand it, going forward the Assessor will do an analysis to determine if, based on sales, a part of town has changed in value enough to warrant an adjustment to assessments (having to do with equalization ratios and that plus-or-minus 15% I *think*). I also think that the assessor will look every year but may not need to change every year. | ||
| Mlj |
Thank you, Jerry. I suggest that the plan to analyze and adjust assessments going forward be made public by the Assessor at an appropriate time, perhaps after the current reval is completed. | ||
| Alidah |
Thanks for the info. And also Jerry,thanks for asking that same question tonight of the independent assessors. | ||
| Mlj |
Alidah, this is such an important issue. Would you please elaborate on that discussion at the meeting? I was watching at home and had great difficulty understanding what was said due to the poor audio. Thanks. | ||
| Alidah |
I watched it on channel 35 too, so I got bits and pieces. Haushelter (sic) said tht Galante was excited that we finally have this technology in place and he is eager to use it. It can adjust assessments if values drop due to a steep rise in taxes after assessments are put in place. I would assume it would work the other way, too, if values rise due to a steep drop in taxes. Galante will be monitoring the situation, and will make neighborhood adjustments when some ratio (sorry, I'm not very mathematical) reaches a certain number (20, I think it was). So it's not on an annual basis but on a "need" basis. Now if anyone can help me out here to explain that bit, I would really appreciate it. My feeling is that this database will be a good tool to use to avoid nightmares like the one that is happening now. I'd like to know what people think about the allusions Haushelter (sic) made about to BOE (and my friend heard from another prominent figure in this scenario) about their responsibility in this debacle. That is, we can debate our assessments all we want, but the fact is over 60 percent of our taxes go to the BOE and we taxpayers have no control or say over it. | ||
| Mtierney |
We have the seesaw of real estate property tax balanced in the wrong direction apparently. This had to be fairly balanced. The solution - changed the position of the seesaw in the other direction. Now, we have the inbalance hurting another section of town. Fair? Of course, when that seesaw is exactly balanced, guess who hurts the most - the middle! Can someone please explain to me: WHEN ADJUSTMENTS (CV mistakes?) ARE MADE ALL OVER TOWN, WHO IS PICKING UP THAT TAB? Will the folks on the east side begin reacting as their property taxes begin the climb back up? | ||
| Overtaxdalready |
Mtierney...since the township needs to collect a certain amount of money each year (always more than the previous year of course) the tab will be picked up by all the taxpayers via rate adjustments. | ||
| Nakaille |
Overtaxed, does your cost of living rise every year in other areas such as food, utilities, etc.? So does what the town pays for utilities, what the school pays for cafeteria food, etc. Of course the budget goes up each year. It's not as if the costs of anything are decreasing. Do you hope/expect to earn somewhat more this year than last? So do municipal workers. Their cost of living rises the same as yours and mine. But if you would like to forego a raise and arrange to contribute the money your employer (or yourself if self-employed) is saving to the township to keep everyone's taxes down, please don't hesitate. Mtierney: this is not a seesaw. This is a redistribution of tax burden according to law. The idea is for everyone to now pay the appropriate amount under law. If it were a seesaw such as you envision, the west side would be paying reparations to the east side. That is not happening. The point is to go forward from a fair starting point. I'm sorry your taxes went up. I'm not sorry to stop paying too much in proportion to the rest of town. Bacata | ||
| Overtaxdalready |
Bacata..many thanks for pointing out that costs rise. I didn't realize that. Thanks for the valuable insight. | ||
| Nakaille |
Over: You're welcome. It did seem as if somehow you had missed that. Dave, where is that irony emoticon in the formatting section? I think "overtaxed" and I both need it. Bacata | ||
| Mtierney |
You can call it "redistribution". I call it social engineering! Just think of all those folks with $12G tax bills finding out last night in the comfort of their homes (and discomfort of cable) that they are now to be grateful that they will pay $4000 more each year! Not to worry that they might be on fixed incomes, have sick dependent children or aging parents, have expensive illnesses, etc. etc. You don't want to hear their troubles? Move them out! Like I said: Social engineering. What will our town be like in five years? | ||
| Overtaxdalready |
Mtierney, I'm afraid to ask. Don't think I'll stick around to find out either. | ||
| Nakaille |
Mtierney: this is not new information but it clearly bears repeating: the elderly and the disabled have access to a state program to get a property tax abatement. There's an article about it in today's Ledger but if you know someone who doesn't know about it and would probably qualify, please tell them. According to the article only about 20% of those eligible for the money take advantage of the program. And please remember to tell everyone else who thinks they are being "taxed out of Maplewood" (including yourself) that they can buy two or more houses in my neighborhood if they honestly feel they must sell theirs. But if people are unwilling to utilize resources and options that really are out there then I can't force them to. You still can't see that people have been taxed out of their Maplewood homes on the east side for years, can you? Elderly, disabled, caring for sick children and parents, etc. Why does that mean so little to you? Because it wasn't happening to you? And now you think it is? This is not "social engineering." This is simple fairness under our laws. If you want to change the laws or the way school funding works, please do so. You have a lot of anger right now that could be put to good use. Bacata | ||
| Winkydink |
Bacata - Some of us on the "Westside" have been overtaxed as well, for many years. But, unlike those on the "Eastside" who are getting reductions, we are getting increases on top of our already over the top taxes. There is no consideration for those on the "Westside" who have been overpaying (and can document it). Your gloating about your reduction in taxes really doesn't help the situation any. |
