Tax Appeals Continue to Rise

An increasing number of residents are filing appeals of their property tax assessments, a move which town officials worry could decrease revenues in future budgets.

Following the April 1 deadline for filing an appeal with the county, 300 Westfielders have taken the route to appeal the assessment. This is a rise from 200 appeals in 2009 and 70 in 2008. The appeals can only be filed if a resident believes the assessed value is greater than 20-percent of the value of the house.

Councilman Mark Ciarrocca, chairman of the Council's finance committee, said during Tuesday evening's meeting that part of the impact of appeals will be seen during this fiscal year with the rest coming next year.

"Tax appeals won't effect us this year, but will decrease tax revenue next year," Ciarrocca said to his colleagues during a briefing on the current budget.

The Union County Board of Taxation is not expected to decide tax appeals until after bills are due for the current year, but the town will be spending to fight the appeals before the tax board. Ciarrocca said attorneys are being retained to handle the appeals, which will be part of the 2010 budget his committee is assembling.

The county tax board handles most tax appeals in the county. Residents with properties worth over $1 million have the option of also appealing the state tax court.

Ciarrocca has previously said the finance committee is looking for cuts and will likely recommend personnel and service cuts in the budget. The committee has already ordered a town hiring freeze and merged the Department of Human Services with the county. During Tuesday night's meeting, Ciarrocca said fee hikes and potential cuts in the number of crossing guards are being discussed by the committee. The finance committee is grappling with a in state aid.

Ciarrocca said he and his committee are expecting the rise in tax appeals to continue given the current national economic climate.

"It is a sign of the times," he said of the tax appeal situation.