Dear neighbor,
This past September, the County Executive unilaterally ordered a drastic and immediate revaluation of all properties in Nassau County. I STRONGLY OPPOSE this course of action, which is in the SOLE DISCRETION of the County Executive. The County Executive’s revaluation will impact the market values of many homes, especially those that have been successfully reduced by tax grievance challenges. The change in values will change every homeowner’s portion of the property and school tax levies, and may impact some homeowners more drastically than others.
My colleagues and I on the Nassau Legislature cannot stop the County Executive’s revaluation, but we are doing everything in our power to make sure residents are informed of the potential impact this revaluation will have on tax bills.
The County Executive and County Assessor have launched a website - www.askthecountyassessor.com - to provide information on the changes to Assessment based on the revaluation. But, it is not enough.
Below are two questions posted on the FAQ page of www.askthecountyassessor.com The answers are woefully misleading.
What website tells you: What website DOESN’T tell you:
HOW WILL MY ASSESSMENT AFFECT MY TAX BILL? Your assessment determines your share of property taxes that the County and your town,
school district (other than for the Glen Cove City School District) and any special districts
raise to fund their services and operations. The reassessment has no impact on the amounts included in tax levies.
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Missing portion of the answer: The County Executive has unilaterally manipulated the “Level of Assessment” which artificially lowers your “assessment” figure. While your “assessment” will now be reduced, your fair market value and the taxes you actually pay may rise drastically.
The real question is, HOW MUCH WILL MY TAX BILL CHANGE? Ask the County Assessor.
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I HAVE HEARD THAT TAX BILLS CAN INCREASE FOLLOWING A REASSESSMENT AND A CHANGE IN THE LEVEL OF ASSESSMENT. WILL THERE BE TAXPAYER PROTECTION FOR RESIDENTS? Yes. The County Executive is introducing her Taxpayer Protection Plan. Currently, her administration is drafting legislation for submission to the New York State Legislature to protect residents by transitioning over five-years any relative changes in class one tax burden that could otherwise result from the reassessment and the change in the level of assessment.
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Missing portions of the answer: - The County Executive has not even drafted this legislation and no legislation is pending in the State legislature. It is completely unknown if this legislation can be approved and implemented before the revaluation impacts tax bills.
- Even IF the County Executive’s 5 year plan is implemented, it allows 20% increases annually. This is not a phase-in, it is a phase-out for residents of Nassau County!
The real question is, HOW MUCH WILL MY TAX BILL CHANGE? Ask the County Assessor.
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The truth is that the County Executive and the County Assessor already know what the impact of the revaluation will be on your tax bills, but they don’t want you to know.
I have introduced legislation, which was passed by the County Legislature on October 15, 2018, by a 19-0 vote, forcing the County Executive and Assessor to be more truthful and transparent with the residents of Nassau County.
We are demanding that the Assessor send out revised notification letters to all residents giving the new value of each home based on the revaluation and the estimated impact on their taxes.
The Assessor is going to tell you that they cannot predict your future tax bills. You must ask the Assessor to tell you what the new calculations would do to this year’s tax values and tax bill. This example/hypothetical will show you what your impact would be now, so you can plan for future bills. DEMAND THAT THE ASSESSOR TELL YOU WHAT THE TAX IMPACT WILL BE. AND DON’T TAKE NO FOR AN ANSWER.
Our residents deserve the right to be told what’s coming.
You deserve an administration that is open and transparent about your taxes.
You deserve the right to be able to plan for your future.
Please visit the County Executive’s website and call the Assessor. DEMAND THE IMPACT ON YOUR TAX BILL! I am calling for you, too, and I will not stop. Thank you for your concern and attention to this matter. I will continue to update you on all progress in this matter.
Sincerely,
As always, residents are invited to attend all Legislative sessions or view our meetings live online.
Please visit https://www.nassaucountyny.gov/489/County-Legislature for meeting calendars and links.
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