Many property owners in Newtown probably received an unpleasant surprise over the past couple of weeks.

The results of the 2022 revaluation from Vision Government Solutions, Inc have been issued — and most of those likely delivered a significant increase on the assessment of property owners’ homes. But the bad news may not be as dire as it seems.

According to Tax Assessor Kathy Brown and Finance Director Robert Tait, the latest revaluation will not necessarily correspond to a large increase in property taxes for the 2023-24 fiscal year.

“Total tax bills will be roughly the same,” Tait told The Newtown Bee. “People will see the assessment and think, ‘Oh my God, my taxes,’ but no — the mill rate will go down roughly as much.”

While the average assessment is seeing a roughly 42% increase, the average tax bill will not increase as much, because the mill rate will be dropping from 34.67 mills to 25.86 mills. So as the average old assessment increased from $247,200 to $348,180, the actual increase on the tax bill is from $9,957.22 to $10,038, a 0.8% or $81.11 increase.

The new assessments are an update based on sales of property in the area, and not based on full inspections of each home. The town’s next full revaluation with full inspections of each residence is in 2026.

Additionally, the current assessment is as of October 1 in this year and does not reflect any changes in property prices after that.

“It’s a mass appraisal,” said Brown.

The new estimated mill rate also does not include adjustments that may be made for the upcoming 2023-24 budget, which the town’s departments have just started working on, and will not come to voters for a decision until the end of next April.

According to a letter from the Assessor’s Office, properties greater than 2,500 square feet increased an average of 42% (3,612 houses); and properties less than 2,500 square feet increased an average of 45% (5,425 houses). Any exemptions (veterans, exempt properties, first responders, etc) that the property is entitled to are not included in the assessment notices from Vision.

For those still unhappy with their revaluations, the next step in the process will be informal hearings where property owners can meet with Vision Government Solutions personnel to discuss any issues or discrepancies property owners noticed in their assessment notifications.

To view the latest data on your property, go to vgsi.com to access your latest property information.

If a homeowner still disagrees with the assessment, they may schedule an appointment online at: vgsi.com/schedules and follow the instructions. For those who have more than two parcels to discuss, or do not have access to a computer, they may call Vision Government Solutions, Inc toll-free at 1-888-844-4300 between the hours of 9 am and 4 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding public holidays.

Homeowners are asked to book appointments as soon as possible. Most hearings will be conducted via telephone by appointment only beginning November 29 and ending December 14. There will be some in-person appointments available. Homeowners are asked to not call the Assessor’s Office to schedule appointments.

For those who wish to appeal the assessments after the informal hearing process is complete, they must file a written appeal to the Newtown Board of Assessment Appeals on the prescribed appeal application, which can be found on the Town of Newtown website at: newtown-ct.gov/board-assessment-appeals.

Those wishing to appeal may also obtain the prescribed appeal application at the Assessor’s Office after the informal hearing process is complete. Appeals cannot be accepted until the 2022 Grand List has been filed, usually around January 31.

Appeals applications must be received in the Assessor’s Office by 4:30 pm on February 20.