ASSESSOR LEVINSON CREATES NEW OFFICES TO HELP HOMEOWNERS

April 27, 2006
Media Contact: Randolph Yunker - (516) 571-2490

(Mineola, NY)  Board of Assessors Chairman Harvey Levinson today announced the creation of an Assessment Assistance Unit and Office of the Assessment Ombudsman to assist homeowners with any problems or inquiries relating to the assessment process or property tax exemption issues.

“As part of my continuing efforts to improve the services that are provided by the Department of Assessment and make government more accessible to homeowners, I have taken some of the most knowledgeable individuals from existing divisions and placed them in a centralized unit to serve as information specialists to handle the hundreds of inquiries and telephone calls that are directed to the department each week,” stated Assessor Levinson.  “This reorganization will help increase the Department of Assessment’s response time to incoming mail and help reduce the wait time at information counters.”

In addition to the Assessment Assistance Unit, Assessor Levinson will be assigning an employee to act as an Assessment Ombudsman who will serve as an impartial fact-finding agent charged with  investigating complaints from homeowners regarding unresolved assessment inquiries, property exemption denials or field inspection issues.

“The Office of the Assessment Ombudsman is the first of its kind in Nassau County government,” stated Assessor Levinson.  “The Ombudsman can offer advice and explain departmental procedures and assist homeowners in appealing or resolving issues within the context of the law.”

While the Assessment Ombudsman has no authority to make or overturn a decision made by the Department of Assessment, Assessor Levinson indicated that the Ombudsman will advise him of the findings and/or status of inquiries or investigations for further action when appropriate.

“Homeowners should understand that the position is being created to help them navigate through the regulations and procedures that affect departmental decisions,” concluded Assessor Levinson. “The Ombudsman, however, cannot provide legal advice or handle complaints relating to any other government agency or county department.”