GUILFORD – On February 10, the Guilford Town Board unanimously adopted a resolution in support of a town-wide real property update and assessment revaluation. The resolution directs the assessor to complete the work and further clears the way for the town to pursue partial financial reimbursement from the New York State Office of Real Property Services.
According to Guilford Assessor Susan McIntyre, the last time Guilford did a town-wide adjustment to its assessment rolls was in 1993.
“Over time, property values have changed substantially, both increasing and decreasing in value,” she explained. “This resolution allows us to bring back accuracy and equity to our assessment roll, so that our property owners can be assured that the tax burden is being fairly distributed across the entire town.”
According to McIntyre, work has already started with the inventorying of all properties in the town. Each property is being visited, updated digital photos taken, and the grade and condition of all land and structures is being recorded. Starting in the summer of 2010, all property owners will receive a formal written data mailer listing the information gathered during the inventory process.
“It’s very important that property owners review the information on the data mailer and notify our office if there are any errors,” she explained. “It is critical that the information we have be accurate and the property owner's input is vital to the success of this.”
Once the inventory is complete, property values will be determined based upon recent real estate sales in Guilford. The new assessment values will be cross checked in the field for accuracy, before being mailed to property owners in a formal written notice of assessment disclosure and impact.  Property owners will be able to review the value of their homes and to compare their property to others in the town. Additionally, property owners will have an estimate of the tax impact of their proposed new assessment. According to McIntyre, this will occur in late 2010 into early 2011. Property owners concerned that their assessment is incorrect may meet informally with the assessor during this time. Property owners may also use the formal Grievance process, occurring in May of each year.
“Our goal is to have a high quality assessment roll, where properties are valued at 100 percent of market value,” she said, emphasizing the fact that the assessor does not establish budgets or taxes.
“Assessment updates and revaluation is not about raising more taxes, it's about restoring accuracy and equity to the assessment roll. Our job is to insure that the tax burden needed to meet the town's budget is accurately and fairly distributed, to insure that we as tax payers are paying our fair share and only our fair share.”
According to McIntyre, the town is on schedule to have the work completed for the 2011 school tax and 2012 land tax years. Public information meetings will be scheduled later this year to keep the community informed about the process.
“In the meantime, everyone is encouraged to stop by or call our office to review what information we have to date on your property,” she said.
The Guilford Assessor’s Office is located in the Guilford Town Hall, 223 Marble Rd. Regular office hours are Saturdays from 9 a.m. until noon, and by appointment. To contact the assessor, call 895-6827.