County executive outlines three‑year tax‑credit plan for assessment overages; class‑action notices prompt moratorium on delinquent land sales

County leaders spent a large portion of the June 15 session addressing recent assessment errors and the county’s planned response to a class-action lawsuit and mass mailings to taxpayers. The county executive said more than 200,000 residents received notice from a law firm involved in litigation seeking rollback of 2023–24 assessments.

The executive described two refund options and advocated spreading credits over three years to reduce budget disruption to taxing jurisdictions: "That tax credit that I've suggested that I've instituted and ordered under my authority under the charter is to do over 3 years, and this body is now looking at putting that into law, codifying that, and following that." (County Executive)

Members pressed for clarity about timing and mailings. The executive said taxpayers will see the tax credit reflected on the October tax bill and that a separate mailing of tax‑overage information will follow. He cautioned litigation remains ongoing and the county is proceeding in step with legal guidance.

Separately, the legislature adopted ordinance 6095 establishing a temporary moratorium on delinquent land sales for residential parcels affected by the 2023 assessment errors. The Vice Chair explained the moratorium is meant to prevent foreclosures for owners whose delinquencies stemmed from assessment errors until credits and corrections are processed. The motion to adopt was carried by voice/roll-call with the clerk recording the result.