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Resident presses council on large property reassessments; council points to county assessor
Summary
A Bristol resident raised concerns about steep home reassessments, saying his property’s assessed value rose about $128,000 in one update and calling contrary news reports a 'lie.' Council members said the Sullivan County Assessor performs reassessments and referred the resident to that office.
During the Jan. 6 appearance-of-citizens portion of the Bristol City Council meeting, resident Richard Squire addressed council members about recent property reassessments.
Squire said he received notice of a large increase in his house value and disputed media reports suggesting values were exaggerated. “That’s what I wanna know. By what justification that you have that allows this gargantuan increase in house prices?” he asked council. He told the body his mortgage company estimated his house value had risen by about $128,000 in a single reassessment.
Council members responded that the county, not the city, conducts property reassessments — the Sullivan County assessor’s office is responsible — and directed Squire to the assessor’s office for specific valuation questions. The mayor and staff clarified the city’s role is setting the tax rate; the county sets assessment values.
The exchange concluded with the council offering to help provide contact information for the Sullivan County property assessor.
