2026 brings lots of things we will unpack and near the top of the list is state-mandated revaluation of taxable property that occurs every five years. The process began in 2025 to be implemented for the budget year starting July 1, 2026.
Revaluation notices recently went out to property owners informing them of their new assessments. Now is the time to act if you believe the assessment value is off, based on the makeup of your property such as property description errors.
Munival is the company hired by the city to provide the information to the Assessor’s Office.
As noted below you can request an informal hearing with the representatives of the company to share your concerns with them.
If you’re not satisfied you can bring this to the attention of the Board of Assessment Appeals for a formal hearing by the three-member panel.
The mill rate of taxable property is expected to come down from the rate of 43.45 mills, but that does not mean you’ll pay less in taxes, depending on how much your property evaluation increases.
Do not wait until your June 2026 tax bill arrives to complain. It will be too late and whatever hair you have left on your head you’ll be pulling out and spewing prehistoric noises.
Revals are tricky. They can be a blessing or a curse based on the potency of the commercial base versus residential. If the commercial base grows meaningfully, good news for homeowners. If not it shifts a heavier burden on homeowners to finance the municipal budget.
This is also where the government impacts the politics. Mayor Joe Ganim doesn’t want to enter a 2027 reelection year with a heated electorate.
Ganim resides in the waterfront hamlet, Black Rock, with the highest assessments in the city. When he returned to the mayoralty in 2015, Ganim inherited a revaluation year in 2016, delayed by his predecessor Bill Finch who didn’t want to be clobbered in an election year. The howling from Black Rock was ear-splitting when they received their tax bills because many did not take advantage of the appeals process.
Since that time Ganim has held the tax rate generally flat, the last revaluation five years ago not as difficult as the first he inherited.
In the budget Ganim presents to the City Council in April, he will be hard pressed to pony up more dough to the financially challenged school system while navigating the outcome of the revaluation.
So, whatever assessment notice you received in the mail check it against the contours of your home.
See below overview of revaluation process from the city and appeals process.
