This local law would require the Commissioner of the Department of Finance (DOF) to organize and conduct annual property assessment education events in two locations in each borough, during which DOF would provide property owners with information regarding the Department’s valuation and assessment of real property. DOF would also be required to submit a report to the Council regarding these events.
- Filed (End of Session)
History
Int. No. 1733
By Council Member Espinal
A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to requiring the department of finance to conduct property assessment education events in each borough
Be it enacted by the Council as follows:
Section 1. Subchapter 1 of chapter 2 of title 11 of the administrative code of the city of New York is amended to add a new section 11-207.2 to read as follows:
§11-207.2 Property assessment education events. a. 1. The commissioner shall organize and conduct property assessment education events during which the department shall provide property owners with information regarding the valuation and assessment of real property by the department.
2. Such property assessment education events shall occur in at least two separate locations within each borough on an annual basis. The first such property assessment education event shall commence on or before February 1, 2018.
3. Each property assessment education event shall include, but not be limited to, information regarding: (a) the department’s method of determining the market and assessed values of properties in each property class; (b) how to understand the notice of property value and property tax bill sent by the department to an owner of real property; (c) how to appeal a property assessment with the tax commission; (d) property tax exemptions, including eligibility and the process of applying for such exemptions; and (e) any other information that the department may deem necessary.
4. The commissioner shall ensure that departmental staff are available at each property assessment education event to assist individuals with application for a property tax exemption or for appeal of property valuation.
5. Any lectures or educational materials designed for the purpose of conducting such property assessment education events pursuant to this section shall be made available in English and in the six languages most commonly spoken by limited English proficient individuals, as those languages are determined by the department of city planning. Such educational materials shall be available on the department’s website.
b. On June 30, 2018, and annually thereafter, the department shall submit to the speaker of the council a report related to the property assessment education events held during the prior 12 month period. Such report shall include, but not be limited to: (i) the number of property assessment education events held; (ii) the location of each property assessment education event; (iii) the number of participants in each property assessment education event, disaggregated by location; (iv) the number of individuals assisted with applications for property tax exemptions, disaggregated by location; and (v) the number of individuals assisted with applications for appeal of the assessment of their property, disaggregated by location.
§2. This local law takes effect immediately after becoming law.
ENB
LS #10901
6/22/2017