Newark Property Tax Assessment Mailing Shocks Homeowners

Newark property owners recently received a letter in their mailbox announcing an “Historic” property reassessment increase.

Purported values of resident’s property skyrocketed, regardless of improvements or not, in what seems to be more than a coincidence given corporate development to the West.

It has been no secret that Intel, as well as other corporate entities moving in, are putting huge demand on land and housing in the area. Newark Administration is well aware of this, and apparently poised to take full advantage. Here is the bad news.

The advantage, unfortunately, goes to Newark and Mayor Hall’s piggy bank, and the hardship is directly delivered to the property owner’s door. And their dinner table.

Properties that are valued at a reasonable rate bring in reasonable tax dollars for the City. An outlandish reassessment of value automatically make any future owner pay the City much, much more tax for the same property. It also empties the pockets of current property owners with a deep reach into the wallet or purse, in a time of economic hardship. 

This ploy turns up the “tax dollar garden hose” emptying out on the City’s lawn, at the same time as your lawn turns browner.

It is the Mayor and City Treasurer’s sole responsibility to stop this onslaught victimizing property owners.  With a Mayor already asking for $45,000 of  taxpayer money for him and his family this year, on top of a bloated salary and raises, the prospect of the people of Newark counting on an action-filled leadership response appears dismal. 

A 2020 reassessment of land value resulted in an average 23% increase of property owner’s taxes.  Now, at the most,

36 months later, another tax increase labeled “Historic“is announcedwhich by definition would be more than 23%?

Are we to reach 60% taxation or more 36 months from now?  There obviously is no limit, unless demanded by all of us.

Citizens of Newark need to stand and make their voice heard. This scale of assault on the average working citizen of Newark needs met with an “Historic” response from We, the People. Make your discontent known to City Hall and Mayor Jeff Hall.

From the desk of the Editor. Letters to the Editor are encouraged on this topic.

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