FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2019

Media Contact: Kelsey Bode
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: kelsey@jgpr.net

City of Rochester Announces Tax Rate Following Property Value Increases

ROCHESTER — City Manager Blaine Cox reports that the Department of Revenue Administration has finalized this year’s tax rate following a significant rise in most property values in Rochester.

The tax rate for property taxes to be billed this December has been set at $24.90 per thousand dollars of property value, a $2.62 reduction from the prior year. This is the lowest tax rate the City has had since 2011. The reduced rate was partly caused by a rise in property values and also an increase in revenues collected by the City, such as Motor Vehicle Permit Fees, but does not necessarily mean residents will see a lower property tax bill, as City, County and local school budgets all rose this year.

“The increase we’ve seen in property values is a great indicator of positive growth in our City, and for that, we’re thrilled,” City Manager Cox said. “We have a lot of wonderful initiatives ongoing to foster a thriving economy in Rochester, and our property values, budget and tax rates reflect those efforts.”

The City’s Assessing Department recently completed its 2019 Full Statistical Revaluation of all City properties, which saw a median increase in property value of 15% citywide.

“All current and relevant market data was properly analyzed in the 2019 Full Statistical Revaluation in an effort to equitably appraise all real property to its full and fair market value,” said Deputy City Manager and Director of Finance and Administration Katie Ambrose. “The last full revaluation was completed in 2014. These numbers show us that property value in Rochester is largely increasing, which is consistent with recent real estate sales activity.”

Based on data from recent market sales, single family home values increased by a median of 17% and will see a property tax bill increase of $204 this year. The median assessed value of a single family home prior to the revaluation was $179,150 and would have received a 2018 tax bill totaling $4,930. However, after the revaluation the average single family home assessment has increased to $206,200 and will receive a 2019 tax bill of $5,134.

The City of Rochester aims to distribute tax bills before the holidays, and final 2019 tax bills will be mailed by Dec. 16 and are due 30 days from the mailing date.

Additional information on the 2019 Full Statistical Revaluation and a video explaining the role of assessors can be found at www.rochesternh.net/assessing.

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