We hope you will find the contents useful and informative. New and timely announcements will be added periodically to keep you up to date with new developments.

The Mayor and City Council has directed my office to update all property assessments to 100% of market value.

The City has contracted with JDBrearley Consultants LLC to assist with technical support and real property appraisal expertise. By now you have received from the contractor a letter of announcement and introduction to the reassessment project. On the back of the letter we have included some important information about what you as a property owner can expect to occur from the reassessment.

Owners of residential properties have received a second letter. This Property Data Questionnaire requests property owners to provide important information such as age of the house, bedrooms, bathrooms, basement area, heat system, etc. A stamped self-addressed envelope is provided to return the completed forms to the Reassessment Project Office. Thank you to all who have responded (so far over 50%) for your input and participation in this effort.

Commercial property owners were also sent a second letter in early October, requesting income and expense information on property that is income-producing, ie: rented or leased, that will be used in developing market values. We are already getting a good return on these as well.

Public information meetings have been held to explain both general assessment information and commercial property valuation. The slideshows presented at these meetings can be viewed on this website.

Informational Video- We arranged with Time Warner Cable Government Access channel 6 to air a video developed by the NYS Office of Real Property Services. The video explains the job of the Assessor and why equitable assessments are necessary. Air times are as follows:

Sundays at 12:30 pm
Wednesdays at 7:00 pm
Thursdays at 2:00 pm
Fridays at 7:00 pm

You may also view the video by clicking on the following link.

http://www.orps.state.ny.us/video/index.cfm

The NYS Office of Real Property Services has also developed a wide variety of informational resources about assessments and taxes. Please click the following internet link to access this information.

http://www.orps.state.ny.us/home/tri_index.cfm