WASHINGTON, D.C. – October 3, 2013 – (RealEstateRama) — In response to a recent article in the Sandpaper regarding the increases in property taxes for businesses’ in Stafford Township I want to take this opportunity to set the record straight. In 2013 prior to Hurricane Sandy, but in response to changing market conditions, Stafford Township planned and began the process necessary to reassess the Township.

The reassessment process is one that we try to do periodically to avoid a full town wide reevaluation. We do this primarily because a full reevaluation would cost the taxpayers of Stafford over 1 million dollars while a reassessment cost less than 10 % of that number.

The assessment process is controlled by state law and the county board of taxation. It is not a process in which the Township Council has any legal authority to set property values and to influence the outcomes. In fact, the process is deliberately set up that way so as to avoid undue political influence.

In 2013 Stafford Township reduced the overall assessment of the Township just under 18 % this was done as a result of changing market conditions throughout the Township and the effects of Super Storm Sandy. All values were set as of October 1, 2012 prior to Sandy and those values were established through the use of appropriate valuation methodology in use throughout the state. Properties damaged by Sandy received an additional adjustment to their assessment after the storm.

In the local paper they site some examples regarding the reassessment value of commercial property but what they fail to note is that 60 % of all commercial properties either went down in value or stayed the same and all of the changes either up or down were based on appropriate valuation methodology.

The values were not based on some arbitrary number nor were they based on some attempt to manipulate the cap system. The cap system has nothing to do with property valuation. In fact, in 2012 and 2013 the Stafford Township budget was well below both the revenue and expenditure caps and the municipal tax increases were virtually flat with no significant increases.

As a municipal government it is understood that changes in assessment and taxation can be frustrating. The Township has completed the process utilizing appropriate valuation methodology and the conclusions are supported by both the findings of our tax assessor and contracted professionals. If anyone believes that these conclusions are inaccurate the law provides a method for property owners to challenge the assessment through the tax appeal process.

In short, reassessment is the way a municipality ensures that each property owner is paying their fair share of the tax levy.