NEW: Hopkins Advises Cranston Taxpayers of Pending Revaluation Notices

NEW: Hopkins Advises Cranston Taxpayers of Pending Revaluation Notices

Cranston Mayor Kenneth J. Hopkins has issued an alert to Cranston taxpayers that notices for the recently completed citywide property revaluation will soon be arriving from the city-hired revaluation company.  

“Over the next several days, property owners will be receiving their new property revaluation assessments in their mailboxes," said Hopkins. 

According to the mayor's office, Vision Appraisal, the city’s hired revaluation and appraisal company, has completed the state mandated revaluation in consultation with the Cranston tax assessor’s office. The new values for residential, commercial, and industrial properties as determined by Vision Appraisal should reflect fair market values as of December 31, 2023.

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Revaluation Info

“I know that a revaluation causes homeowner concerns, but I ordered the tax assessor and Vision Appraisal to give taxpayers ample opportunity to discuss their new property values,” said Hopkins. “The initial review, if there are questions, will be overseen informally with the taxpayer and Vision Appraisal representatives.”

The mayor explained that the revaluation company has completed an extensive physical inspection and review of all city properties. He said that various assessing techniques have been employed including review of recent sales and replacement cost estimates.

Hopkins said taxpayers should first review the notices to make sure the data collected is accurate. He explained that property assessment information for the entire city will be available online for taxpayers to review comparable properties or homes in their neighborhood. 

Following the informal review, taxpayers are able to file formal appeals with the Cranston Tax Assessment Board of Review.  

“If still not satisfied, taxpayers can seek review of their new appraised values in the Rhode Island Court system,” Hopkins said. 

Hopkins said he hoped that resolution on someone’s property value "can be done at the local level."

“We have all witnessed extraordinary increases in home selling prices over the last several years that must be reflected in the new values as of December 31, 2023.” he said. “The bottom line for every taxpayer is how much taxes will they have to pay.” 

Hopkins stressed that taxpayers should not utilize the current tax rate to try and determine their new tax bill.  He explained the city’s total assessed taxable property base will increase reflecting the new values.

“A new and lower tax rate will be determined through the on-going budget process that will start on April 1 with my budget submission to the city council,” said Hopkins. “With the help of my finance team we are carefully reviewing departmental requests and their budget needs, including Cranston schools.”

 

Budget in Focus

Hopkins said he will introduce his proposed operating and capital budget for the 2025 fiscal year, on or before April 1, as required by the city charter. 

“At that time, I will identify a proposed tax rate for all property categories,” said Hopkins. “The revaluation process by law is not intended to be a revenue generator. The General Assembly requires periodic updates to make sure that property values are apportioned fairly among all property owners.” 

The mayor said in his first year in office the city completed the required three-year statistical update, and noted that “by law, every city and town must undertake a full property revaluation every nine years.” Hopkins said there are limits on how much a municipality can increase its tax levy each year.

He noted that the revaluation has been overseen by Tax Assessor Kenneth M. Mallette, Jr., and his staff.

Mallette made a presentation to the Cranston City Council relative to the 2023 revaluation at their meeting on February 26, 2024.