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Bedford council delays townwide revaluation until 2026
Summary
The Town Council voted 7-0 to postpone the planned 2025 townwide statistical revaluation after the assessor reported the town's 2024 median ratio was 91.8, within acceptable limits. Councilors discussed costs, staffing impacts and reporting requirements tied to the Department of Revenue.
The Bedford Town Council voted 7-0 on Feb. 12 to postpone the townwide statistical revaluation slated for 2025 and to schedule the next full revaluation no sooner than the 2026 tax year.
Town Assessor Doug Irvine presented the council with 2024 performance data and recommended postponement. "My recommendation just to get to the point is that we can postpone," Irvine said, citing the town's official median ratio for 2024 of 91.8 and noting the median remains above the 90% threshold used in revaluation years. He added the department could use the extra time to address organizational recommendations from the New Hampshire Department of Revenue.
The move matters because revaluations align assessed values with market values and can shift how the tax burden is apportioned across property classes. Irvine told the council that Bedford's assessments are not showing the large gap experienced after the 2023 revaluation and that, in his view, delaying to 2026 would remain within the five-year statutory maximum between revaluations.
Council discussion covered the volume and distribution of sales, how high-end residential sales affect strata, and budget implications. Councilor Kathleen Bemis asked about a recent high-value sale on Old Bedford Road and whether assessed values change on sale; Irvine said sales are verified for data accuracy but assessments are updated at the next reassessment. He told the council the 2025 update was estimated at $55,000 and noted the town maintains a capital reserve for revaluations.
Councilor Dave Gilbert moved the postponement, saying the next revaluation "will, as in years past, be a complete town wide value update, including all property classes." The motion was seconded by Councilor Bill Carter. Chair Lori Radke called the vote, and the motion passed unanimously.
Councilors and staff also discussed operational advantages of the delay, including allowing assessing staff to complete internal improvements without the all-hands demands of a revaluation year. Irvine said he would contact the vendor that performed the last revaluation to explore keeping the quoted price if the work shifts by one year.
The council's vote does not remove the town's obligation to fund future revaluations; Irvine reminded members that constitutional and statutory requirements still require reassessment within five years.
