AUBURN – Councilors hope a firm brought in to audit city assessors is better at math than they showed Monday.
Councilors agreed to hire the International Association of Assessing Officers to review last fall’s citywide property revaluation, despite a glaring error in the group’s 19-page business proposal.
According to the proposal, the group is charging the city $18,000 for the service. A table in the report detailed the charge: $9,600 for professional services, $1,300 for travel expenses and $1,100 for clerical assistance, preparation and printing.
“I’d like to note, that adds up to $12,000 – not $18,000,” said Gary Baillargeon of 144 Broadview Ave. He also wanted assurances that the group would do a fair job representing taxpayers, not just the city staff.
Councilors said the group comes highly recommended, despite the error. Councilor Kelly Matzen said he received glowing reports from officials in Kennebunk and from the state Assessing office.
“In the beginning, I looked at this with skepticism, but now I’m convinced,” he said.
The city released the revaluation in October showing steep property tax increases for many taxpayers. It also included some errors, such as homes assessed for having swimming pools that didn’t exist. Councilors hope the audit will allay taxpayers’ fears about the accuracy of the revaluation.
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