Hyde Park BOE approves tax warrants, trustees discuss equalization impacts

The Hyde Park Central School District Board of Education on Aug. 14 voted to approve the district's tax warrants and tax rates for the 2024'25 school year after receiving a detailed presentation on how town equalization rates and omitted taxes affect bills.

Board members were told the district's authorized tax levy for the year is $72,258,441, and that the county had identified omitted taxes from prior years that must be deducted from this levy so the district does not receive duplicate collections. "Those are taxes that were left off the tax rolls, but should have been billed to individuals," a district staff member explained during the presentation.

The presenter walked the board through the mechanics: assessed values are supplied by five towns in the district; New York State's equalization rates are applied to create a 'true value' basis so taxpayers across towns pay equitably; and changes in equalization or assessed values alter the per-thousand tax rate even when the levy itself is unchanged. The board was shown that Hyde Park's equalization rate remains low (about 35.5 percent), reflecting that the town has not had a full reassessment since 1994; by contrast Clinton and Rhinebeck reported 100 percent equalization after recent reassessments.

The presentation noted that, were all properties assessed at 'true value,'the average tax rate would show roughly a 4.7 percent decrease versus the prior year. Because equalization adjustments vary by town, some taxpayers will see decreases while others will see increases; Pleasant Valley's equalization drop produced a substantial rate increase for that town. The district also reviewed tax-collection timing and penalties: the tax collection period begins Sept. 15; payments made through Oct. 14 are penalty-free; payments made Oct. 15'Oct. 31 carry the 2 percent statutory penalty.

After the presentation the board approved the tax warrants and rates. The presenter said supporting materials and slides will be available on the district website and through BoardDocs.

Board members did not alter the levy adopted during the budget process and emphasized that assessments or grievances remain matters for town assessors and, eventually, state review processes.

The district advised residents who believe their property assessment is incorrect to raise the issue at their town grievance day and, if necessary, pursue the small claims assessment review process in New York State court.