This Could Affect Avon's Tax Levy in 2014-15

The consulting agency town officials are backing to do Avon's 2013 property revaluation estimates it will cost $142,500 to do the job in a joint contract with Avon and Canton.

In the bidding process, Assistant Town Manager Steve Bartha and Avon-Canton Assessor Harry DerAsadourian identified P.B.S. Systems, LLC as the ideal candidate for the job. At its March 7 meeting, the Avon Town Council authorized Town Manager Brandon Robertson to enter into a contract with P.B.S. Systems.

In materials presented to the Council, Robertson said that the revaluation, which would go into effect on the 2013 Grand List, "will form the basis for calulating the tax levy" for the 2014-15 fiscal year budget.

P.B.S. will conduct the revaluation and do analysis work, Bartha said.

Avon would pay 60 percent of the total contract amount and Canton would be responsible for 40, Robertson said at the council's February meeting, according to draft minutes. Avon would pay $85,500 and Canton would be responsible for $57,000, Bartha said.

Canton will also reimburse the town with $62,700 for DerAsadourian's work on the revaluation, essentially a quality control role, Bartha said.

Hartford-based P.B.S. Systems was the lowest bidder of four applicants, requesting $142,500 to do the job, according to a memorandum from Bartha and DerAsadourian to Robertson that was submitted to the Town Council before the meeting.

In 2008, revaluation services cost $149,100 combined for the two towns, according to Robertson, so the joint contract for revaluation services will cost less this time.

Avon and Canton contracted P.B.S. to do revaluation work in 2003. Darien, Farmington, Plymouth and Simsbury have also used the contractor, according to the memo.

The business has been licensed by the state of Connecticut for such work since 1997, the letter states.