North Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - The North Tonawanda City Council did something that its predecessors balked and pushed down the political road.
In a 4-1 vote Tuesday night, the Council has taken a major step towards starting the first city-wide reassessment of all 14,600 properties - including both residential and commercial addresses.
The reassessment is the first in North Tonawanda since 2009.
"We are just trying to level the playing field," said Gabrielle Richards, 1st Ward Alderwoman and council president.
Richards admits the decision to move forward will open the council to varying levels of criticism - but also strong support from the silent majority.
"You can't always be the good person, sometimes you have to be the bad guy," Richards said.
The council voted to hire GAR Associates to handle the reassessment with GAR being paid $550,000. At-large Alderman Joseph Lavey Jr. - critic of the reassessment - cast the lone no vote.
"Whatever we do, we have to make sure we can keep people in their homes," Lavey said.
Richards pointed to the City of Lockport, who recently completed a full reassessment.
Lockport's property tax rate fell from $57.58 per $1,000 of assessed valuation to $35.37 per assessed valuation.
North Tonawanda's average house is assessed at $291,000 and the current city property tax rate is approximately $54 per $1,000 assessed valuation.
For more than two hours, North Tonawanda residents volleyed back and forth, with most opposed to the reassessment plan and urging the council to pause any such proposals.
"What you are going to see is a lot more homes for sale," said Jeff Kreiger, a long time North Tonawanda resident.
Actually, reassessment may see some commercial properties paying more , Richards said.
The Walmart on Niagara Falls Boulevard may see its annual property taxes increase from $224,000 to $1,080,000.
Walgreens on Payne Avenue would see its annual property taxes rise from $110,000 to $378,000.
"I think they (the council) are just trying to get as much money as possible," said Jacob Quinn, another long time resident.
Not so, Richards countered.
"This has been delayed and kicked down the road too many times," Richards said. "We are doing this now in the best interest of the city."
The City Council has hired GAR Associates to handle the reassessment process
The City Council has hired GAR Associates to handle the reassessment process
