Orleans Parish property owners whose assessments have been raised this year may visit Assessor Erroll Williams' office starting Monday to discuss the revaluation and seek a reduction. This year, for the first time, the public will have a month -- until Aug. 15 -- to challenge their assessments in person. In the past, the so-called "open rolls" period was...
Orleans Parish property owners whose assessments have been raised this year may visit Assessor Erroll Williams' office starting Monday to discuss the revaluation and seek a reduction. This year, for the first time, the public will have a month -- until Aug. 15 -- to challenge their assessments in person.
In the past, the so-called "open rolls" period was limited by state law to two weeks, Aug. 1-15. The result was often long lines, long waits and unhappy home and business owners. The problem was made worse when Williams became New Orleans' first citywide assessor in 2011 and began revaluing tens of thousands of properties a year.
The Legislature this year passed a Williams-backed bill, sponsored by Reps. Jared Brossett and Neil Abramson and Sen. Ed Murray, to expand the review period in order to reduce the lines.
Property owners whose assessments have gone up should have received a revaluation letter in the mail. If they disagree with the change, they may visit the assessor's offices on the fourth floor of City Hall, 1300 Perdido St., or at the Algiers Courthouse, 225 Morgan St. Beginning July 22, they may also visit the Lakeview Christian Center, 5885 Fleur de Lis Drive.
All the locations will be open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Property owners are encouraged to visit the location closest to their home or workplace. No appointment is necessary; individuals will be assisted on a first-come, first-serve basis.
To contest an assessment value, individuals must bring their reassessment letter and documentation to support their claim, such as a recent appraisal, a builder's contract, photos or insurance coverage of the property, Williams said.
People who are unable to visit one of the offices during the allotted time period or who wish to bypass this step may file an appeal directly to the Board of Review at the locations listed before 4 p.m. on Aug. 20.
The City Council, sitting as the Board of Review for Orleans Parish, hires outside appraisers and real estate experts to review all appeals and make recommendations to the council. The council then generally follows its consultants' advice.
"Property assessments determine the fair market value of taxable property in the parish," Williams said. "Fair market values are the basis for fair taxation, so that every property owner pays their fair share."
Williams said he uses a computer-assisted, mass-appraisal system for maintaining property data and determining values to achieve greater tax equity. The public can access this data at www.nolaassessor.com.
"You do not dispute the property assessment because you think your taxes are too high. That is a discussion to take up with the taxing authorities," Williams said. "You should see me because you think the value placed on your property is inaccurate due to estimations on its size, comparable sales or market values."