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Assessor outlines grand list timeline, new vehicle valuation method and commercial development to watch
Summary
Norwalk Tax Assessor Paul Gorman told the Finance and Claims Committee the grand list will be signed at month-end and described a switch in motor-vehicle valuation to MSRP-depreciation under new state law, anticipated changes in commercial values and upcoming income-and-expense filings.
Paul Gorman, Norwalk’s tax assessor, briefed the Finance and Claims Committee on Jan. 9 about the office’s preparation for signing the 2024 grand list and changes arising from new state rules for motor-vehicle valuation.
Gorman said the office is finalizing supplemental bills and the car portion of the 2024 grand list; under new state law, passenger vehicles will be valued using an MSRP-with-depreciation approach rather than sales-study valuation. He said the change will likely lower overall car mill rates and that although some individual vehicle values may be slightly higher, the expected mill-rate adjustment should reduce most taxpayers’ car bills. "We're going to be seeing about a 10 or so point drop to the mill rate from cars," Gorman said.
The assessor said the department is preparing to mail renewal applications to elderly taxpayers eligible for tax relief programs and anticipates a brisk February for Board of Assessment Appeal signups following the revaluation. Gorman also described planned coordination with MTS (contractor) and Tyler Technologies to implement system changes; meetings with contractors were expected in mid-to-late January.
On the commercial side, Gorman said new construction and phase-in rules will temper how quickly new development affects taxable value. He noted large projects, including Wegmans (entering the list partially for Oct. 1) and several new apartment buildings, will add to commercial valuation but that phase-in rules will spread construction increases over multiple years. "We're adding a Wegmans," Gorman said, noting phased valuation will spread increases over subsequent grand lists.
The assessor said the city will begin tracking income-and-expense statements (INEs) for income-producing properties this year, which will help measure whether commercial occupancy and rents are recovering.
Gorman did not present formal actions for committee vote but provided timeline expectations and technical clarifications staff may use for budget planning.
