" To the Editor:

As a Town of Victory council member and a voice for the entire town board I would like to offer the following response to taxpayer Roger Manning’s published letter regarding the Town of Victory’s latest revised assessments.

The Town of Victory board members did agree to increase the town wide assessments an average of 3.5% town wide. The town board agreed unanimously to increase assessments based upon a recommendation from the town’s assessor Roger Baldwin. The town board’s action represents a confirmation of professional judgment and integrity displayed by Mr. Baldwin with respect to the property assessments.

The Town of Victory has entered into a coordinated assessment program (CAP) agreement with the Town of Ira in an effort to reduce additional burden on the taxpayers. Victory received seven dollars per parcel in state aid from the State of New York during the first year of inception. The town continues to receive $5.00 per parcel in state aid when the annual revaluation is completed creating additional savings. Per the agreement Victory pays 43% of the total cost incurred with the annual revaluation process which is based upon the number of parcels located within the town. Victory does not provide an office space, electric, heat or telephone for the assessor as a result of the agreement creating a considerable savings to the community.

Mr. Baldwin’s analysis takes into account all of the property sales that have occurred within the last year in the Towns of Victory and Ira. A total of thirty property sales occurred within towns in 2007. Mr. Baldwin’s annual analysis is reviewed in conjunction with the New York State Office of Real Property Services (NYSORPS) to establish the annual equalization rate percentage. The assessment adjustments proposed by Mr. Baldwin are reviewed and compared by NYSORPS against all of the sales for the last three years that have occurred in northern Cayuga County. A total of 369 sales occurred in northern Cayuga County in the last three years. After review by NYSORPS the assessment and equalization rates are established.

At the May monthly town board meeting Mr. Manning expressed his concerns with the rising assessments and rising taxes. I would like to point out that Mr. Manning failed to mention in his letter the Town of Victory tax rate decreased by 6.49% in 2008.

Mr. Manning also states in his letter the board agreed to increase property values for the fifth year in a row. I would like to point out that Mr. Manning’s assessment remained unchanged for the last four years. Mr. Manning’s tax payment pertaining to town and county taxes was reduced by $48.26 from 2007 to 2008. Many other taxpayers are seeing similar results do to the efforts of the town board and assessor.

Mr. Manning’s property assessment increased in the latest revaluation by a total of $900.00. The increase in assessment equates to Mr. Manning being required to pay an additional $12.89 in the coming year based on current town & county tax rates. The rates are subject to change based upon established and approved budgets. In my opinion the total increase appears to be very reasonable for a five year period with the current economic conditions.

At grievance day on May 27th twenty two taxpayers from the total 941 parcels turned out to discuss the changes in their assessments. With less than three percent of the taxpayers turning out to grieve it appears the majority of the town is in agreement with the revised assessments. Many may not be happy with the increase but likely feel it is fair and necessary.

Mr. Manning makes the statement the town board opposed his proposal with regards to publishing the official monthly meeting minutes in the local newspaper. The town does not have control over what is published in the newspaper and therefore is reluctant to have the information published. Publishing the meeting minutes in the newspaper was completed in years past with unfavorable results. Although the town board did not agree to publish the meeting minutes in the local publications the board did agree a better means of communication needed to be implemented. The town currently is placing the official meeting minutes on the town’s new web page in order to facilitate better communication with the residents. The meeting minutes can be viewed at the following web page address http://co.cayuga.ny.us/townofvictory

During the May monthly meeting Mr. Manning also demanded the town board to reduce the amount of taxes paid by the residents in the coming year. I understand Mr. Manning’s position with regards to the rising cost of taxes, fuel, food, etc. The Town of Victory has a very limited amount of services that are provided to the residents and taxpayers. Nearly all of the services provided by the town to the residents are completed by the highway department. These services consist of road paving, maintenance, snow removal, road side mowing, etc. all of which require petroleum products to complete. The rising cost of petroleum products is one of the major factors inhibiting the town from further reducing taxes. The only way to substantially reduce taxes would be to reduce the services offered. Reducing services currently does not appear to be a viable option and would potentially create disservice to the community.

Every effort is made by the town board to act in the best interest of the parties who elected us and to serve the community in the best manor possible. I can assure the taxpayers the board is doing everything possible to make life comfortable in the Town of Victory. I welcome all residents to attend the monthly meetings and express their concerns so that we can better serve them.


Scott Bloss
Town of Victory Councilman "