If Watch Is Out, Assessments Are Likely on Hold

NORTH EAST — The Town Board is sticking to its decision not to use consultant John Watch of MJW Consultants to do any more work on its property revaluation and or annual updates. The board reiterated this at its business meeting last Thursday night.

Assessor Jon Barrett reported to the board that Watch is the only option for the town if it wants to get a revaluation or an update the upcoming year.

"If John Watch is out, then I think the numbers will stay the same for 2007," Barrett told the board.

The board said that was a risk it was willing to take.

"I still think we need to go back out and recollect the data on properties. To me, I think that’s where a majority of the errors are," Councilman Carl Stahovec said. "And what Watch is probably going to do is revert to what we had before him."

"Can you fix the problem or do you need to start over?" asked Councilman Tim Shaffer.

"For 2007 there is really nothing doable," Barrett responded. "For 2008, I think the question was can we in the office check the data and go through it in time for 2008? Yes, I think we can. It would be about six months of work, but I think it could be done."

Town Supervisor Dave Sherman pointed out that consultant Robert Strell was anticipating the town doing an update for 2007, which Barrett said could still be done in alternative ways.

"One thing he could do is trend the properties and then print comp sheets, and we could merge them together and see how they fit," Barrett said. "Here again, time is short. If we were going to be doing an update, we would need to send out impact notices by March 1, and we need the numbers for that already."

Barrett said he was not sure that the town could easily opt out of (or return to) the six-year state program that provides $5 in return for every property in the town as long as the equalization rate remains at 100 percent.

He did, however, suggest that the town could hire a new contractor to do a new revaluation without the data collection (because that’s already been done), and then continue with the annual updates.

"We’re not going to cross that bridge," Sherman said. "It’s too far ahead. I think we’re trying to figure out how to get there in the first place."

Sherman said the modeling is one tool, while comparative sales is another. He said that the most effective tool is probably field reviews.

"The thing I would be interested in seeing is the forecasting for a 2008 target time. Would we have enough time for a field review to be done?" he asked.

The supervisor also asked Barrett about farm data, which Strell said was not properly recorded by Watch.

"I would imagine that we would look at farms, too. We have those data sheets. John Watch chose not to use them," Barrett said. "Every method has its own problems. Mr. Watch felt better to look at the overall land value, rather than get into the land type."

Barrett said he expects to have the data on agricultural assessments collected and reviewed in time for the 2007 roll.

"If the goal for 2007 is to get the data right and set up for the 2008 roll, I guess I’m concerned with the time frame and manpower if we don’t. Let’s get it done," Briggs said. "I expect it would be nice to have a sort of timetable to tell you if we’re on schedule."

"Unless we continue with MJW adjusting small properties, it’s not going to be possible for the 2007 roll," Sherman said. "If we’re going to consider 2008, we need to get a work program developed of what we’re going to do with our own staff and figure out the value of working with the state versus with a private contractor."

The board agreed that it wants to talk to its attorney before any decisions are made, especially before it severs ties with Watch.

The board agreed the town should remain on hold and resume updates in 2008. That means assessments will stay the same but the equalization rate may change. Changes to the roll, like new additions or deletions, or corrections, may also appear.

In the meantime, the Town Board is awaiting a written report from Strell, who presented an oral report earlier this month about his review of the reassessment project thus far.