Being the Assessor of the City of Ansonia, I believe actual grand list figures should be provided to the public for inspection. The grand has been increasing over the past five years and is projected to grow further with this revaluation. The total increase indicated with the 2017 revaluation will put the City in excess of $25 million assessment increase since 2012.
The importance and benefit to taxpayers by increasing the grand list is to create a potential for tax stability.
This is also good news for homeowners, as residential property values are on the rise.
THE ‘TRUE’ GRAND LIST
The grand list is a list of property located within the municipality. It includes real estate, motor vehicles, and business personal property. These properties are valued and assessed at 70% of market/appraised value. The grand list is signed by the Assessor annually and is published, bound, and located in the Ansonia Assessor’s Office. The ‘true’ grand list is the basis for tax bills, not the ‘budget’ grand list.
PAST GRAND LIST ACTIVITY (5 Years Back)
Between 2007 and 2012 the grand list assessment fell from a 2007 assessment of $1,171,359,837 to a 2012 assessment of $892,673,611. That is roughly a 23.79% decrease in the grand list, a loss in excess of $278 million.
INCREASE TO THE GRAND LIST (5 Years Forward)
Since the 2012 revaluation, the grand list assessment totaling $892,673,611 has grown $8,133,924, to a 2016 grand list total of $900,807,535. This increase is due to commercial growth within the City through an increase of new businesses and manufacturers, as well as the expansion of existing entities.
The grand list values do not change between revaluation years, with exceptions such as improvements to existing real property, business new to the City, or new construction takes place. Therefore, there can be three scenarios from revaluation year to revaluation year. The grand list can increase, decrease, or remain constant. The changes within the 5 year revaluation period is where success can be measured.
Success is shown in the following chart which tracks the grand list growth between revaluation years.
IN ADDITION TO A RISING GRAND LIST, MORE GOOD NEWS IS ON THE HORIZON
The 2017 revaluation has been underway and current information indicates an increased assessment in excess of $17,000,000. That would bring a total increase over the past 5 years at an estimated $25,000,000. The grand list has been on the rise since 2012 and keeps increasing through this 2017 revaluation.
Please remember grand lists are available for review in the Ansonia Assessor’s Office. Further, please know I am available at City Hall to discuss any assessment or grand list related questions.
The writer is the assessor for the City of Ansonia.
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