The following is an ‘Ask The Mayor’ question submitted to TLS, and the Mayor’s response. Email your questions for the Mayor to AskTheMayor@thelakewoodscoop.com.

Question:

I messaged you before, and I’ve been handed off to four different entities all the way up to the Congressman‘s office. I’m a senior citizen, 65 years old, just retired, just moved into a retirement village Leisure Village East, because of the low taxes and the reasonable bills. Reasonable meaning limited income, etc. then seven months after I move in your tax assessor raises my taxes from $1100 a year to $2600 a year. Totally unacceptable and so many different ways, I tell all my fellow residents, and I can’t even believe it.

Extremely disappointment, Mr. (Moderated)

Response from Mayor Coles:

Good afternoon Mr. (Moderated)

I have followed your inquiry from the beginning. I asked our tax assessor to contact you personally to make sure we had all the information correct in our system.

I do not have the numbers, but the house you purchased was assessed during our last revaluation. The value was based on the type of house, condition of the house and what type of upgrades have been done to the home. Apparently, the person you bought the home from renovated the unit without applying for permits. These permits require inspectors to check to make sure the work is done properly and safely. This is very important to make sure structural, plumbing or electrical work was done according to specs. This ensures your safety & the safety of your neighbors. When the work is complete, the township tax office sends an inspector to evaluate the home and the new assessed value is entered into the books. I am very familiar with this practice. During the 35 years we have lived in Lakewood, we did several major additions to our home. We added bedrooms as our family expanded and a large dining room/family room to host our growing extended family. After each of these renovations, our home was reassessed & the new value put on the books. For several years, our “little” ranch home was actually the largest house in the neighborhood! Because the assessed value of your house was so much less than what you paid for it, an automatic inspection was scheduled and the new assessed value was entered into the books. You had and still have the right to appeal that valuation. Please contact the assessor’s office if you wish to appeal your valuation & they will assist you in the process.

Any other entities you may have been referred to, were done to make sure you were aware of any possible programs you may be eligible for to help lower your tax bill. There is a senior freeze which is income based. Veterans may also qualify for special tax benefits. As part of this year’s state budget, a new program was introduced which will eventually cut many senior citizens tax bills in half.

Best Regards

Ray Coles

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