Report Released Today by NYS Comptroller Says Local Governments Could Save as Much as $12.5 Million Annually by Consolidating Tax Assessment Services
Poloncarz’s ’08 Report Found as Much as $3.9 Million in Annual Savings for Erie County, Encouraged County and Local Leaders to Share Services to No Avail
ERIE COUNTY, NY—Today, New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli echoed what Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz has said since 2008—millions could be saved annually by sharing tax assessment duties.
“Although it is gratifying that the state comptroller has made essentially the same discoveries and recommendations as I did in 2008, it is also very disappointing to think that we knew Erie County could save millions by sharing assessment duties and have done nothing,” said Poloncarz. “I hope the release of Comptroller DiNapoli’s report will cause municipalities across the state to reexamine the present costs of assessment and look at alternatives to that system in order to create a smarter, less expensive and more efficient way of conducting assessments.”
DiNapoli’s Report, released today, noted that in 2009, New York’s 1,113 assessing units spent $132 million and employed 1,350 assessors, tax directors and assessment appraisers. Additionally, DiNapoli found that local governments across the state could save as much $12.5 million annually by improving assessment procedures and sharing assessment duties with other governments.
In his press release today, DiNapoli said, “There’s no need for properties to be assessed over and over again by every level of local government. Towns, villages and counties should eliminate duplication and improve the quality of assessments to cut costs and save taxpayer dollars.”
Poloncarz’s report, released on March 25, 2008, noted that 30 local assessing units in Erie County (as contrasted with 59 in the entire state of California) spent $6.5 million and employed 169 assessment workers. Poloncarz determined that by sharing services and efficiencies local taxpayers could potentially save as much as $3.9 million a year.
In his press release then, Poloncarz said, “Our Report demonstrates that the costs to taxpayers of local assessment is significant and growing. Given inequities in the existing system and the potential to potentially save millions of dollars annually, the County and local governments should examine the rationale for local assessment and consider a new approach.”
Click here to read the Buffalo News’ Editorial “Consolidate assessments” lauding Poloncarz.