HUDSON — The deadline has been extended for those looking to set up interviews to discuss their assessment.
Property owners have five additional days, or until March 20, to arrange an interview to discuss their assessment with GAR Associates, the company hired to do a citywide revaluation project, according to a statement from the city on Thursday.
New, preliminary full-value assessments were mailed to commercial and residential property owners beginning March 1. The reassessment process started with a goal of creating fair and equitable property assessments so that each property is apportioned its fair share of the property tax levy. Property owners are asked to focus on the full market value estimate.
New, preliminary full value assessments were mailed to city property owners beginning March 1.
An informational meeting with GAR Associates, which is heading the revaluation process, is scheduled for March 18 at 6 p.m. at the Central Fire House Station, 77 N. Seventh St., for those seeking more information on the process of challenging assessments. Bengali and Spanish-to-English translators will be present.
The city contracted with the independent GAR Associates to implement the revaluation project along with City Assessor Justin Maxwell. Revaluations began in the summer of 2018. The city’s last revaluation was in 2012.
Property owners will see their final, new assessment for the first time on the September 2019 school tax bill. The new value will next appear on the January 2020 city and county tax bill. The preliminary assessments include tax liabilities that are for illustration only, and are not a bill.
The reassessments were rolled out by GAR Associates of Clifton Park. A representative from GAR appeared at a Common Council meeting on Feb. 19 to explain the reassessment process.
“It’s been a two-and-a-half to three years from the onset of the process until now,” GAR Associates Vice President David Barnett said Feb. 19. “What this phase is, is a formal review challenging phase. May 1 is when the tentative roll is filed. July 1 is when the final assessment roll is filled.”
Maxwell was on hand at the informal meeting of the Common Council on Monday. Those with questions about their preliminary assessed values are asked to call 1-866-910-1776.
“The company the 1-800 number, they are waiting by the phone to set up interviews with anyone challenging their assessments,” Maxwell said.
Informal reviews will be held during March by appointment only. Those who disagree with the estimate and offer proof can file a complaint.
The city recommends the following steps on its website for anyone wishing to challenge their assessments:
■ Obtain a review application by visiting: cityofhudson.sdgnys.com/index.aspx
■ Research sale/assessment information to find comparable sales at cityofhudson.sdgnys.com/index.aspx
■ Schedule an informal review appointment online at garappointments.garappraisal.com or call 1-866-910-1776.
■ Formal grievance day is scheduled for May 28, 2019 for those “not satisfied with the value determination or unable to attend an informal review,” according to the city’s website.
On grievance day, a board of assessment review — an independent panel of city residents not connected to GAR Associates or the city assessors office — will review grievances, Barnett said.
Although assessment values have been already been mailed out, current and past assessment information can also be viewed on the county property website: https://cityofhudson.sdgnys.com/index.aspx.
For those who cannot access property records online, information regarding property assessments, inventory data and sale information is available through March 29 at the Hudson Area Library, 51 N 5th St., during regular business hours, or online by visiting a website that will be included in the mailing.
The assessor can be reached by phone Monday and Tuesday by calling 518-828-3141 between the hours of 9 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Published in The Watertown Daily Times, March 13, 2019
