Share
Add Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory to the list of people who want Mecklenburg County to delay its scheduled reassessment of property values.
McCrory sent a letter to county commissioners late last week asking the board to delay revaluation because of instability in the housing market and the potential impact of the property reassessment on businesses.
County commissioners are expected to vote Dec. 2 on whether to proceed with the revaluation, the county's first since 2003. Some commissioners say doing the reassessment now would help ensure that property owners are paying taxes based on the current values of their properties, thus fixing inequities where some are paying too much or too little compared to what the market would dictate.
But those seeking a delay say they're worried that revaluations will lead to higher tax bills for many property owners. They also worry that housing prices could fall next year, making the property values inaccurate.
McCrory mentioned both points in his letter to commissioners.
“Given the current downturn in the local housing market and the rise in foreclosures, I do not believe we can accurately appraise housing values during this time and I firmly believe we should not lock homeowners into a valuation rate for potentially eight years, particularly for those on fixed incomes and those who have faced recent job losses,” McCrory wrote. “Going forward with revaluation will only add anxiety to our families facing financial uncertainty and further hinder our real estate sector.”
McCrory also discussed the impact on businesses. “It will be a challenge for many businesses to face an increase in the tax burden and a decrease in revenue at the same time,” he wrote. “Our focus should be on business growth and job creation, not potential higher taxation.”
Other elected officials in the county also have asked commissioners to delay the revaluation, including Cornelius Mayor Jeff Tarte and the town's board of commissioners, and Charlotte City Councilman Andy Dulin.
Huntersville commissioners will consider a resolution tonight to ask for a delay.
