The Tale of Reassessment

When Ed Mangano was the County Executive, Nassau County rubber-stamped grievances granting reductions to 75% of those who requested one, while freezing everyone else’s property values. It has been well-documented that the result was a shift in the tax burden from those who grieved to those who did not.

County Executive Laura Curran campaigned on fixing the broken assessment system, which had been abandoned by the previous administration and the Republican Legislative Majority. This caused much concern among Nassau County residents who wondered if the process would be fair and more importantly would they see a tax increase? Let’s be clear on one thing: Nassau County will not be collecting a single cent more in property tax revenue as a result from reassessment!

John Ferretti and his Republican Majority, instead of being the voice of the people, and expressing concerns or suggesting how to improve the process, decided instead to politicize it. They exploited their constituents’ fears and pointed fingers instead of offering practical solutions.

Yes, there were gaffes, yet they were fixed promptly and did not create errors in the new assessments! The biggest blunder was done by furious Ferretti and his Republican colleagues for the past eight years! They ignored the broken assessment system and swept the issue under the rug so their campaign coffers could be filled by the likes of Maidenbaum and other property tax grievance firms.

Now the only “solution” I’ve heard from the John Ferretti and the Republican entourage is to move back to an elected Tax Assessor. This idea is ludicrous as the Republicans are trying to further politicize the process that will restore tax accuracy and fairness.

Here is what is being missed in all their shouting:

• The reassessment has eliminated the disparities that were created during Managao’s tenure. Those who didn’t appeal were paying a rate that was 29.2 percent higher than those who did. That rate is now only 0.1 percent.
• Currently, property tax assessments are off by approximately 8.8 percent, well within industry standards. County Executive Curran’s Tax Payer Protection Plan will improve the fairness and accuracy beginning in its first year!
• Less than half of the population will see their taxes increase, while 55% of them will see their taxes decrease! The Republicans froze the rolls and a lot can change in 10 years!
• Among those who saw their taxes increase, can you guess who is shouting the loudest? Yup, people on the “Gold Coast”. Money does indeed talk.
• Not nearly a decade ago the voters of Nassau County overwhelmingly voted by referendum to change to an appointed Tax Accessor from and elected one.
• And if you think your assessment is not fair, you still have the right to grieve!