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Bangor assessor reports progress on 2026 revaluation; interior inspections lagging
Summary
City Assessor Phil Drew told the council KRT crews have completed exterior measurements at about 8,800 residential properties; 5,300 still lack interior data and 1,000 of those property owners have been sent letters inviting interior inspections.
City Assessor Phil Drew told the Bangor City Council at its Sept. 8 workshop that field crews have completed exterior measurements at roughly 8,800 residential properties as part of the 2026 revaluation but that interior data remains missing for about 5,300 properties.
Drew said contractors have sent follow‑up letters to 1,000 of those 5,300 property owners offering scheduled interior inspections. "They've been to 8,800 residential properties, and there are still 5,300 that don't have interior data," Drew told the council.
The assessor said KRT crews will continue work and that the contractor plans to send follow‑up letters in batches of about 500 over coming months. Commercial and industrial properties, large apartment buildings and commercial vacant land account for roughly 2,700 additional properties that will be inspected this fall, he said.
Why it matters: revaluation updates property values used in tax calculations; incomplete interior data can affect the accuracy of assessments. Drew urged property owners to schedule interior inspections or otherwise supply interior details, noting that owners also will have a chance to contest values when the city mails estimates in the spring.
Process details and participation: Drew said the vendor (KRT) checks daily with his office about specific owner concerns and that KRT staff respond to emails from residents. If owners do not schedule inspections, the vendor may next send a data‑request questionnaire. Drew referenced other jurisdictions using Tyler Technologies and noted participation rates in other places have been below 50 percent for interior inspections.
Staffing update: Drew reported two new hires certified as Maine assessors after passing the required examination, bringing the assessor's office to three certified assessors.
Council follow‑up: Councilors asked about historical participation rates and about whether the program is on schedule. Drew said he had hoped for greater owner participation but that the process is progressing; he encouraged residents to use the inspection scheduling option or to respond when value estimates are mailed in the spring.
