Media Contact: Randolph Yunker - (516) 571-2490

(Mineola, NY) Nassau County Board of Assessors Chairman Harvey Levinson today announced his intention to restore the six percent cap on assessment increases, in an attempt to allow homeowners to slowly adjust to the levels of taxation that are imposed by the myriad of taxing jurisdictions each year.

"To comply with the New York State Supreme Court Order in March of 2000 calling for an end to the archaic construction-cost assessment system, the former administration agreed to set the Level of Assessment for residential properties at a percentage of full market value that, in effect, taxed the full increase in market value without the benefit of a gradual phase-in or benefit of a cap," stated Assessor Levinson. "With the residential real estate market prices skyrocketing throughout the three-year reassessment, the Level of Assessment was reduced proportionately so that the County could remain in compliance with the Court Order."

The result of this "ever-changing measure of assessed value," according to Assessor Levinson, led to taxpayer confusion and political gamesmanship to conceal the increases in tax levies imposed by municipal, school and special taxing districts that were passed along to homeowners. As the Level of Assessment - the percentage of full market value at which properties are uniformly assessed - for residential properties was reduced each year in subsequent reassessments from one percent of market value for 2004-05, one-half of a percent of market value for 2005-06, to one-quarter of one percent of market value for 2006-07, the tax rates increased proportionately to raise the same amount of tax revenue as the assessed value decreased.

"While the Department of Assessment does not set municipal, school district or special district operating budgets, mail out tax bills or collect taxes," stated Assessor Levinson, "many taxing jurisdictions used the confusion surrounding annual reassessments and escalating market values to divert taxpayer frustration and scrutiny from their annual budget increases, despite the fact that the assessment roll has become more accurate each year."

Shortly after assuming office in January of 2004, Assessor Levinson lobbied New York State Senate and Assembly members to consider legislation calling for a multi-year phase-in of assessment increases. The Levinson initiative would have provided tax relief to homeowners who experienced significant increases in their school, town and county property tax obligations. In addition, the legislation called for the elimination of fractional assessments for property tax purposes and allowing the use of the full fair market value of a home.

"I stepped forward and wanted to help our over-taxed homeowners who suddenly found themselves to be house rich and cash poor," Assessor Levinson stated. "Unfortunately, while my legislative initiatives were acted upon and overwhelmingly approved by both parties in the Assembly, my tax relief measure was left to die in a Senate committee."

With home values skyrocketing each year, Assessor Levinson pledged to continue his efforts to improve the accuracy and fairness of the County's Assessment Roll and promised to continue to seek legislative relief to reduce the property tax burden in Nassau County.