Last month the Town of Clarence Assessor sent out notices to all our property owners regarding their updated property assessments. Every four years there is a town-wide reassessment with cost support from New York State. The state encourages 100 percent assessment which is a fairer way of balancing local, county, and state taxes. If your property is under-assessed, the office of Erie County Real Taxes Services levies an equalization rate to your tax bill which usually, by percentages, means you may pay more taxes. A recent Buffalo News article compared town tax levies and assessments. The Town of Clarence had the lowest combined General Fund/Highway levy than any of the other 20 towns in the article. When comparing the towns in the article that had very low, out-of-date assessments, you can see how there isn’t a “free lunch” and in some cases, residents were paying more points compared to towns that were up to date with assessments.
Out of 13,200 parcels the assessors received 690 requests for an Informal Assessment Review. That is approximately 5 percent of our property owners asking for a second look at their new assessment. The review number was very close to the requests made at the last town-wide assessment four years ago. Many realized after receiving their new assessment that they were at or even below current market value. As mentioned in my last Clarence Bee column, with the increase in assessed value the tax rate per thousand in the next town budget will be lowered to match the increase in assessments. Pending the state budget, the Clarence School District has also stated they would lower their tax rate per thousand as well. If the property owner is satisfied with the results of the Informal Review the new assessment will apply to the school bill in October 2024 and the Erie County/Clarence bill in February 2025.
The Town assessor has begun the Informal Review of the 690 requests. This process includes reaching out to the property owner in an effort to agree on a new assessment. The property owner has the right to go to a Formal Assessment Grievance if they don’t agree with the value of their property. Usually, more than half of the requests for review are settled without going to the Formal Grievance Board. Formal Grievances can be made after May 1. The forms are available on the town’s website or at the assessor’s office. The Formal Assessment Review Board consists of Clarence citizens with experience in real estate.
Lastly, I’m saddened to hear about the passing of one of our town’s leading citizens. Ginger Linder, among the many great things she has accomplished in her life, she worked unselfishly with others preparing over 6,000 care packages during her tenure for service men and women overseas. I was honored driving her in the numerous town parades over the years – she certainly had a strong fanbase. At 90 years old, she remained incredibly sharp with an incredible memory of details that I’d even struggle with. We and the American Legion will certainly miss her. Please keep her and her family in your prayers.