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Municipal officials and assessors warn H.454—s regional reappraisal plan risks underfunding, staffing shortfalls and transition confusion
Summary
Multiple municipal and assessor groups told the Finance Committee that H.454—s plan to move to regional assessment districts needs more stakeholder work, clearer funding responsibilities and a phased timeline to avoid service gaps and large appeal volumes.
Samantha Sheehan, municipal policy and advocacy specialist for the Vermont League of Cities and Towns, told the Finance Committee that VLCT is not taking a single position on regional reappraisal but raised operational concerns about moving from town-by-town reappraisals to regional districts.
Sheehan said municipalities vary widely in capacity and urged that a stakeholder working group identified in the bill be convened immediately to define who contracts for reappraisals, who hears appeals and how to assign costs. "We support local control for municipal listers and advocate for adequate resources, a reasonable timeline for grievances and strong local input," Sheehan said.
Mimi Burstein, membership and…
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