Norwalk tax collector reports 97.07% current levy collection; $15,375.60 refund for leasing company approved

At its March 20 meeting, the Norwalk City Finance and Claims Committee heard a detailed narrative from the tax collector and the city tax assessor about collection performance, tax-sale dispositions and pending appeals.

Tax collection: Tax Collector Lisa B. told the committee that the current-levy collection rate for February stood at 97.07%. She said payments that arrived within the February 3 deadline were processed during February, which improved the city’s year-to-date rate from much lower January figures. Lisa B. described a staggered schedule for delinquent notices: real-estate demand notices were sent at the beginning of the week, business personal-property notices would go out at week’s end, and motor-vehicle notices were planned for next month. She said the city will file lien-continuing certificates after April 1 for taxpayers who have not paid real-estate and sewer-use arrears.

Claims and refunds: The committee considered a claims committee report that included one special request above the $10,000 threshold: refunds for motor-vehicle proration credits owed to Acar Leasing Limited totaling $15,375.60. Lisa B. explained the leasing company had paid bills before abatements were processed and is now due reimbursement so it can refund customers who pay taxes through their leases. The committee voted unanimously to approve the claims committee report and will forward the item to the Common Council for final action on March 25.

Tax sale and related collections: Lisa B. reported that the redemption period for the September 9 tax sale ended on Monday, March 10. Of the original roughly 200 properties listed, four did not redeem and were deeded to new owners on March 11. The tax collector’s office collected close to $6,800,000 on the sale and also recovered blight fees, delinquent vehicle taxes from a former owner, and about $2,400 for the first taxing district. Lisa B. said the city does not profit on tax-sale overbids; any overbid funds are turned over to the Superior Court for distribution.

Assessor’s update: Tax Assessor Paul Gorman briefed the committee on the Board of Assessment Appeals deadline (4:30 p.m. on the meeting day). He reported 55 appellants filed, including 24 commercial properties with assessed values above $2 million. He also reported the elderly-homeowner and disabled tax-relief renewal cycle: roughly 700 people were due to renew this year and about 400 applications had been received so far; certified-mail reminders will go out to those who have not applied.

Staffing and third-party work: Gorman said an assistant assessor began March 3 and is being trained. He also reported that the third-party contractor assisting the office with verifying which vehicles are registered in Norwalk is about a week-and-a-half behind schedule because of staffing and weather-related issues.

Recognition: Council Member Anne Witherspoon congratulated Lisa B. on her 25th anniversary with the city, noting she had served under multiple mayors and CFOs and helped modernize the office.

Next steps: The claims item and other items discussed will be forwarded to the Common Council for final review and approval on Tuesday, March 25.