Listers and Assessors

Lister hours: Wednesdays 12pm-4pm
The Listers Office can be reached at 888-2300 x303, or lister@hydeparkvt.com

Listers:
Julie Rohleder, Term Expires 2012
Chastity Fagnant, Term Expires 2012
Kara Lanphear Gates, Term Expires 2013

Last Town Reappraisal: 2006
Current Level of Appraisal (CLA): 102.16%

2010 LISTERS’ REPORT

The Town’s CLA (Common Level of Appraisal) has increased to 102.16%, a drop of 2.82% in the Equalized Education Grand List, indicating a drop in sale prices. The CLA is calculated using the last three years of sales data (4/2/2007 – 4/1/2010), so it moves more slowly than the general market, either upward or downward. The cost numbers used by the Listers to set the assessed values of properties are based upon our 2006 reassessment. These cost numbers reflect size, condition, the type of construction and quality of the land for each taxable parcel. By using the same table of cost numbers for all the properties in Town, we can create a Grand List that will have each taxpayer paying their fair share of the Municipal and School taxes.

The 2010 Grand List increased by 1% over the 2009 Grand List. A similar increase is anticipated for this year. The Town has again contracted with Automated Property Assessment Services, Inc., of Adamant, VT, to visit and appraise properties that have had changes over the past year. They will be inspecting properties in late March and / or early April. While we generally know about additions due to the permitting process, if you have removed a taxable structure from your property, contact us so that we can adjust your assessment accordingly.

There have been some big changes with the Homestead Declaration and Property Tax Adjustment process:

A new form, HS-131 (Homestead Declaration) will be used in the future. This form is undated and will be valid for future years (until revised or replaced).
The 2010 Homestead Declaration will remain with a property until it is sold. What this means is that it will no longer be necessary for residents to file their HS-131 (Homestead Declaration) on an annual basis unless there is a change in use of the property or it is no longer the owners’ homestead.
If you sell your Declared Homestead, you have 30 days to file their HS-132 (Notice to Withdraw Vermont Homestead Declaration). This can be done at the closing. A penalty will apply for late filing.
If you buy property which will be your homestead, you have 30 days to file the HS-131 (Homestead Declaration) if you expect to be a VT resident and occupy the house on April 1 as your principal home.
If the use of a Declared Homestead changes (rental or business use) a new HS-131 (Homestead Declaration), must be filed by April 15 following the date of the change.
If a Declared Homestead is no longer the owners’ homestead, a HS-132 (Notice to Withdraw Vermont Homestead Declaration) must be filed within 30 days of the change. A penalty will apply for late filing.
If your Declared Homestead is transferred to a revocable trust or a life estate is created, a new HS-131 (Homestead Declaration) needs to be filed by April 15 following the date of the transfer.
A new form is being used for the income sensitive property tax adjustment. Form HS-145 (Property Tax Adjustment Claim) will need to be filed annually with your income taxes. This year the due date is April 18, 2011. A late due date of Sept 1, 2011, will allow for adjustments to be made, but penalties will apply.

Gary Anderson and Chasity Fagnant were elected to the Board of Listers in 2009 and Julie Rohleder was appointed to fill the vacant position in 2010.

There is a Lister in the Town Offices at least one afternoon per week. If you have questions or need help understanding how your property is assessed, we can be contacted at 888-2300 x303. If you leave a voice-mail we will call you back. You can also e-mail us at lister@hydeparkvt.com.

Gary Anderson, Chasity Fagnant, Julie Rohleder Hyde Park Town Listers