Assessor

Proposed Grand List & Preliminary Notice of the 2023 Reappraisal Results

The City of Montpelier contracted with New England Municipal Consultants, Ltd. (NEMC) for a complete reappraisal of all real estate within the City for the 2023 Grand List. As a portion of that contract, NEMC is required to hold informal public hearings to discuss the new proposed values with property owners. This notice is a presentation of the proposed 2023 value. This notice does not constitute the beginning of the legal grievance period. You will be officially notified of your final Grand List value in June. 

The last full appraisal completed in Montpelier was in 2010. NEMC has conducted an inspection program over the past two years to collect information on the homes and businesses in Montpelier. Upon completion of the property inspections, the senior project manager established new values for all property by analyzing the sales of property within Montpelier. The results were applied to the appraisal of land and buildings in Montpelier. The project supervisor and staff reviewed the appraisal for each property, checking locations, grades, conditions, and topography for each property. 

The next step for the Property owner, (if you have questions), is to informally discuss the new appraisal with a representative from NEMC. In this process, you (the property owner) can sit and discuss the new value the reasoning behind it, and the data used to arrive at the new value.  The key to this process is a discussion of fair market value. Vermont law states that all taxable property in the State be appraised at fair market value and be listed at 100% of that value. Fair market value can be best described as that value you might reasonably expect to receive upon the sale of your property in a fair, considered transaction.  

The proposed 2023 value (see above) is an indication of the market value of your property as of April 1, 2023. Please be aware that there are only three ways to change your new assessment:

1. The new value is not fair market. Simply, you feel that your property is not worth what the new assessment has been set at. 
2. The property is not fairly assessed when compared to other similar property. When you compare your property to reasonably similar propery, in a similar location, you should see that the assessments are similar. 
3. There may be data errors in your record. You can get a copy of your record at the hearing, on the Assessor's page here, or by calling 802-223-9504. 

If you feel that the proposed value is not a fair indication of market value for your property, you can schedule an informal meeting with NEMC representatives. You will be given the opportunity at that meeting to present information to potentially adjust your value. You should be prepared to compare your property to other similar homes, bring data about the condition of your house or land, or bring any appraisal or sale documents you may have. The process is meant to be informal and informative. The goal is to have fair and equitable property values for all. Please be aware that the values are proposed and subject to change based on information gathered prior to the issuance of the Abstract Grand List.

All valuations are also posted to the City's website on the Assessor's page. The downloadable booklet with all new and prior values is available through the link below. You may also contact the City office for a booklet if you are unable to access it on the website.

Each hearing will be scheduled for 10 - 15 minutes. You will be provided with a copy of your new property record card. NEMC representatives will make notes and view the property at a later time if needed. You will be notified of any changes through the grievance notice you receive in June. 

(Informal hearings will be held on May 23 - 27, 2023, at Montpelier City Hall, 39 Main Street in Montpelier. Daytime and evening hours will be available. Please call 802-223-9504 Monday through Friday from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm to set up an appointment. If needed, please leave a message and we will return your call. 

You may call and schedule an in-person hearing or telephone hearing. Please be aware that you will be responsible for being available at the appointed time. You may send your data by mail or email: mlagerstedt@montpelier-vt.org 

The mailing address is :

Assessor's Office
City of Montpelier
39 Main Street
Montpelier, VT 05602

All information must be received by June 2, 2023, to be considered in this informal phase. 

The Montpelier Assessor's office and NEMC thank the property owners of the City of Montpelier for the cooperation shown throughout this project.

Sincerely,

Marty Lagerstedt

City Assessor

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