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Mount Desert board authorizes $227,800 revaluation contract, assessor outlines 2027–28 schedule
Summary
The Select Board authorized the town manager to contract for a full property revaluation at a cost of $227,800, with data collection planned for 2027 and value commitments in 2028; Tax Assessor Kyle Davila described outreach and appeal procedures and said some properties have stale or missing data.
The Mount Desert Select Board voted to authorize the town manager to sign a contract with BGSI to perform a full measure-and-list revaluation of properties at a total cost of $227,800, to be paid from the town’s revaluation reserve (account 4020100-24209, balance $259,394.37). The motion was moved, seconded and approved.
The town’s tax assessor, Kyle Davila, explained why the board opted for a full revaluation rather than smaller statistical updates: “So for any folks that don't, know who I am, Kyle Davila, your my primary role for the town is the tax assessor. … This is the full measuring list where we send people out to every property, take a new picture, measure the dimensions on the house. … This is a really more robust approach to, equalizing everybody.” He said data collectors are expected to be in the field starting in 2027, with sales-data analysis and pricing work over the winter and new value letters and an appeals process in 2028.
Davila told the board the town previously has used Vision Government Solutions and that the RFP produced two responses; one respondent declined to bid. He described outreach plans and said the contractor will send form letters that Davila will review before they go out. On the subject of owners refusing entry, Davila said collectors will gather information at the door when possible and that the assessor may estimate values if access is refused: “In my practice, I don't estimate low. I'm gonna estimate high. And if they come to appeal, 1st thing I'm gonna say is, well, I need to do an inspection.”
Board members pressed for robust public notice and a community forum so residents have an opportunity to ask questions before data collection begins. One board member noted the town built the revaluation into the capital-improvement plan over several years and that the contract will not require a tax increase because funds were already set aside.
The revaluation contract includes a per-diem provision to cover contractor attendance at formal appeals before the local board of assessment review; the assessor said per-diem costs can apply if appeals require contractor representation. The board approved the authorization and directed staff to coordinate the contractor’s public outreach and the timing of letters and inspections.
Next steps: contract signature by the town manager and preparation of a public outreach schedule ahead of field work anticipated to start in 2027.
