Avon Council adopts local option to raise motor-vehicle depreciation schedule to 90% in 3-2 vote

The Avon Town Council voted 3-2 on March 26 to adopt the local option allowed under House Bill 7067, Section 7(b), increasing the motor-vehicle depreciation schedule by five percentage points for the 2024 Grand List.

Chairman Polhamus moved the measure and Mr. Weber seconded; Mrs. Bratton, Mr. Polhamus and Mr. Weber voted in favor, while Mmes. Ausiello and Barthel opposed. Tom DiStasio, the town’s director of finance, told the council the State adopted an MSRP-based valuation and offered municipalities a local option to raise the depreciation percentages; Avon’s adoption means each year’s applied percentage increases by 5 points across model years.

DiStasio summarized the financial effect the council relied on in making its decision, saying the motor-vehicle portion of the Grand List fell about $17.5 million on the signed list but adopting the local option would reduce that decline to roughly $16 million. "The mill rate tax increase would go from 4.65% to 4.45% ... and then down to 3.91% ... an approximate dollar reduction of $350,000," he said.

Supporters said the modest change helps the town avoid a larger mill-rate increase that could imperil passing the budget. Opponents raised questions about fairness and perception, noting the change shifts more of the tax burden to vehicle owners and could affect renters indirectly. The council also heard from Harry DerAsadourian, the town assessor, that implementing the change will require significant staff work to revalue thousands of vehicles.

The motion carried 3-2. Clerk Jennifer Worsman attested the minutes and the council adjourned at 7:22 p.m.