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Byram tax assessor says county has ordered townshipwide reassessment; council hears options, seeks more outreach
Summary
Tax assessor Penny Holenstein told the council the County Tax Board has ordered a townshipwide reassessment and she will seek an extension to 2025; county officials and staff outlined options, costs and next steps, while some council members urged caution.
Penny Holenstein, the Byram Township tax assessor, told the council on June 5 that the County Tax Board has ordered a townshipwide reassessment and that she will request an extension to 2025 to allow more time for public outreach and planning.
"It's about a fair and equitable tax base, not an increase in taxes," Holenstein said, describing two primary approaches: a single 100% revaluation of all properties or a phased program with a full reinspection spread over several years. She said the county will consider granting an extension and will help the township communicate the change to residents.
County Tax Board member John Fero told the council he has "not seen any evidence that levels have leveled off on residential sales because there is no inventory," saying that regular reassessment can reduce the number of appeals. Melissa Rockwell, also with the County Tax Board, reported that "based on the Director's Ratio, Byram is at 72%," a figure county officials use when evaluating uniformity.
Township Manager Joseph Sabatini told council members the township's last reassessment cost about $175,000 and that a revaluation vendor would be selected through a bidding process. Sabatini advised the council to discuss assessment strategy in the fall.
Councilman Christopher Roseff said he was concerned about moving forward while appeals remain low and home-sale activity is limited; Rockwell said there were 98 home sales in Byram in 2023. John Fero and others argued that annual reassessing or more frequent updates capture market changes and can reduce the need for future townwide revaluations.
Resident Scott Yappen spoke during public comment to express concerns about the reassessment process.
Next steps: Holenstein will request an extension from the County Tax Board, the township will consider outreach and inspection plans if the order stands, and the council is expected to revisit the assessment approach in the fall.
