At a recent meeting, the Ocean County Mayors Association passed a resolution opposing the proposed state law that would require all municipalities to conduct annual property value revaluations/reassessments in addition to other requirements. The resolution was introduced by Harvey Cedars Mayor John M. Imperiale.
“This is another example of an unfunded mandate, and in this case, for an absolutely terrible idea,” said Imperiale, who serves on the OCMA Executive Committee. He noted the proposed law would require annual reassessments, create new certification standards, and revise appeal procedures.
“Property owners could experience assessment changes every year regardless of whether they made any improvements to their property,” according to Imperiale, who added that “the cost to municipalities would be excessive and totally unnecessary.”
In proposing the resolution, which passed unanimously, Imperiale said most municipalities maintain equitable assessments for 10 years or longer before requiring evaluation programs.
“I don’t recommend waiting 20 years or so, as Harvey Cedars did before this year’s revaluation, but each municipality should evaluate for themselves when it would be proper to have a reassessment,” he said. “It’s the principle of home rule.”
In reference to “home rule,” the resolution states that municipal tax assessors possess detailed knowledge of local property characteristics, neighborhood influences, development patterns, and valuation trends that cannot be effectively addressed through a uniform statewide mandate.
The resolution points out that between reassessments, assessors already adjust for new construction, added assessments, omitted assessments, tax appeal judgments and physical changes. It further states that “municipalities should retain the flexibility to determine when reassessments, inspections, or other assessment initiatives are warranted based upon actual local market conditions, taxpayer interests, available resources, and professional recommendations.”
Imperiale informed the OCMA members that Harvey Cedars passed a similar resolution at its Oct. 10 borough commission meeting and urged every municipality to do likewise. Copies were sent to all Ocean County mayors, all county commissioners, numerous legislative districts and Gov. Sherrill.
