Nassau Comptroller Announces Audit Of Assessment System

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips announced that her office will be auditing the county's Department of Assessment after many residents have complained about increases to their tax bills.

The county's assessment system has long been a headache for both county officials and homeowners. The opaque assessment process leaves many homeowners scratching their heads to figure out how their bills were calculated, and the county is on the hook for any overcharges.

“Nassau County taxpayers are confused and frustrated with our complex property assessment system. It’s my job, as the independent protector of Nassau County taxpayers and residents, to not only ensure that county departments are functioning properly and efficiently, but to see that taxpayers are being treated fairly,” said Phillips. “This audit will help restore taxpayers’ confidence that their assessments are not only correct, but also fair.”

Phillips said her office will be auditing the assessment rolls for 2021 through 2024, as well as the Assessment Department's application of the five-year phase-in. The comptroller’s office will examine the systems and processes in place and recommend improvements that ensure the accuracy of property values listed on the rolls.

New assessments were rolled out last year by former County Executive Laura Curran's administration, and were met with much disdain from residents. Many people saw their property values — and therefore, the taxes they pay — rise dramatically.

Republicans instantly started attacking Curran for the assessments. At the time, she said many of the assessment problems that were arising were the result of Republicans and previous County Executive Edward Mangano, who did not reassess property values in nearly 10 years. Property values were frozen for the entirety of the Mangano administration, which led to inaccurate tax rolls.

To soften the sting of the increased taxes, the county passed the Taxpayer Protection Plan, which allows homeowners to phase in their tax increases over five years.

Fixing the assessment system not only helps residents, but the county as well. Nassau's assessment system is also unique in that it features the "County Guarantee." Because Nassau County is in charge of assessing the value of properties, it is liable for any overcharges that occur. The county spends millions every year paying back tax grievances from residents who had their properties valued incorrectly.

“Comptroller’s office staff have already done great work identifying many of the problems with the assessment system in place under former county administrations," Phillips said. "This new review fulfills my pledge to taxpayers to improve transparency and make sure that county government works for them.”