Write a commentAfter more than six weeks of discussion over the City of Oswego's proposed city-wide property reassessment, a resolution to bring a halt to the process and revert to the 2023 assessment rolls, is being brought to the table.
Receipt of the proposed new valuations of the city's seven thousand real property parcels has caused an uproar from taxpayers. Citizens have filled the gallery at Common Council meetings since the notices were mailed to property owners, and dozens have spoken during the public comment sessions and at public hearings.
Much of the negative response has centered on the process used by GAR Associates, the company the City contracted with to perform the reassessments. The City held a public session in early March at which representatives from GAR, the New York State Office of Taxation and Finance, and the Oswego County Real Property Tax Service joined City Assessor Kevin Hill to explain the process. The session did little to ease taxpayers' minds however, as about 2500 city parcels will see their annual tax bills rise by more than $500, some significantly more so.
An effort has arisen recently among some council members to possibly attempt to void the City's contract with GAR Associates and revert to the previous tax year's (2023) assessment levels. Councilors Jesse Vanuchi and John Gosek Jr. have prepared a proposed resolution to be presented to the Council at tonight's meeting.
Third Ward Councilor Vanucchi said "Since the Reassessment letters were received in March from GAR Associates, Councilor Gosek and I have been on the phone with many concerned residents on a daily basis. We have walked our respective wards to provide facts, answer questions, and to assist residents with the grieving process. Although some assessment values are accurate, there are still many concerns. We have heard the people of Oswego voice their concerns through public forums, public sessions, emails, texts, phone calls, and through face to face interactions."
He continued, "After hearing the people and thoroughly researching the issues, Councilor Gosek and I wrote a resolution to be presented on April 22nd. This is an attempt to terminate the GAR contract and revert back to the city's 2023 assessment roll, which we are looking to get support from the council on."
Tonight's Common Council meeting, starting at 7:15, should prove to be interesting, and property owners and taxpayers are being urged to contact their representatives and/or attend the meeting to support the resolution.
