§ 44-69. Adoption of assessment rates limiting property tax increases on residential and apartment properties through valuation, clerical correction, or tax credit; watchtower authority; October 1, 2012, revaluation.

(a)

Preamble, general findings and authority. Whereas, the Connecticut General Assembly has authorized municipalities to conduct revaluation of real estate including designated procedures and administration by local officials in furtherance thereof. Such municipalities are further authorized, through duly appointed and authorized officials and local boards of assessment appeals to apply further lawful remedies in the implementation of such revaluations and adjustments thereof.

(b)

Findings. The City of Danbury hereby finds that C.G.S. §§ 12-55, 12-60 and 12-62n, as well as the general provisions of C.G.S. §§ 12-62 and 7-148, provide authorization for the adjustment of real property assessment and/or taxes for affected residential and/or apartment properties where either clerical defects are determined to have occurred and are unremediated or there exist excessive increases in assessment that would result not only in the inequitable distribution of property and tax assessment but a serious risk of home loss, foreclosure or market deterioration.

(c)

Remedies. Pursuant to the foregoing authority, it is found that the office of the assessor pursuant to its watchtower authority under law and the legal mandate and authority to equalize assessments pursuant to C.G.S. §§ 12-55 et seq., the City Board of Assessment Appeals and/or the Office of the Director of Finance shall be authorized to provide assessment and/or tax relief to properties, including those affected in clusters, determined to have suffered verifiable inequitable valuation at deviation from principles and application of assessment procedures and such authorities may avail themselves of either, all or a combination of the following remedies for the October 1, 2012, revaluation:

(1)

In the event a remedy pursuant to C.G.S. § 12-62n is utilized, the minimum adjusted increase in assessment from the prior revaluation shall result in a tax levy of no less than three and one-half percent (3½%) over the property tax for such residential and/or apartments in the base year of the new revaluation, all as defined.

(2)

In the event a remedy pursuant to C.G.S. § 12-60, the clerical omission or mistake in assessment may be corrected within three (3) years following the tax due date on which the omission or mistake occurred, as defined. A certificate of correction shall be filed in such cases of adjustment.

(3)

In the event a remedy through tax payment relief is utilized the Office of the Director of Finance is authorized to determine, based upon proper review and analysis, that tax relief by credit shall be implemented.

(Ord. No. 8, 2-24-2014)