The Norfolk County Commissioners on July 23 approved a $7,486,876.57 county assessment for fiscal year 2026, to be billed to cities and towns in the county under state procedures.

County Director Tim Cronin said the sum reflects the advisory board’s approved revenue figure and follows state rules on weighted votes and tax rates issued by the Massachusetts Department of Revenue, Division of Local Services. "This is something we do every year," Cronin said during the meeting.

Cronin said the Department of Revenue issued new weighted votes and tax rates for fiscal 2026 and 2027 and that once the commission approves the assessment the county will mail invoices to each city and town. He said the first payment will be due on or before Nov. 1, 2025, and the second on or before May 1, 2026. Cronin also noted the commission increases the total amount each year up to the 2.5 percent maximum allowed by law.

Commissioners asked for clarification about how the county tax is calculated. Cronin explained the DOR-provided total tax rate (116.15) is apportioned across municipalities based on equalized valuation and used to compute each town’s share from the county tax base. He gave Avon as an example, showing how the town’s portion is derived from the common basis figure described in the packet.

The motion to appropriate and grant the sum for the county assessment was moved and seconded and passed on a voice vote. The packet accompanying the motion included the memo dated July 23, 2025, showing the approved lump sum and the advisory board’s prior approval.

Why it matters: County assessments fund county operations and are distributed across municipalities according to state formulas; the approved sum and the payment schedule set obligations for local governments for the coming fiscal year.

Additional details: The staff said the numbers will appear on municipalities’ cherry sheets and should not be a surprise; minor variations from cherry-sheet estimates are possible. The DOR/Division of Local Services provides the underlying weighted votes and tax-rate figures that determine each municipality’s share.