This story has been updated to include a statement from Mayor-elect David Chess.
STRATFORD – Based on some early reactions on social media, property owners are experiencing sticker shock as they receive their Notices of Assessment Change in the mail this week.
The notices demonstrate a property’s previous assessed value based on the Oct. 1, 2019 revaluation, and what the new proposed assessment will be for the Oct. 1, 2025 revaluation. Stratford received a one-year reprieve last year as it had to replace its tax assessor.
The higher assessed values are mostly due to the huge uptick in real estate values post Covid. The updated assessment reflects 70% of each property’s fair market value.
The town assessor’s office stated that residential property values are likely to increase based on current housing market trends in the state.
Other Fairfield County municipalities that are undergoing property revaluations include Bridgeport, Fairfield, Greenwich, Shelton and Westport.
“While this may cause initial concern, it is important to understand that assessments are only one part of the equation,” a town press release stated. “The town’s budget and mill rate for the upcoming fiscal year will not be set until spring 2026, meaning there is more coordination and decision-making before any impact on individual tax bills is determined.”
Stratford residents on the NextDoor app have already voiced their displeasure with the revaluation.
“Stratford New Assessments: It’s just too much,” one person posted. “So much money being wasted by town government, schools, etc. Politicians ARE NOT businessmen; it is painfully obvious. Cut spending before raising taxes. I’ve seen bids for when the high school was being built, for many trades. The famous $400 hammer. I saw $5,000.00 TV’s, $4000.00 Chromebooks……I can’t imagine the waste that exists throughout the entire town infrastructure. This town is financially crushing, hopeless, and depressing.”
Mayor Laura Hoydick, who will be making way for the newly elected Mayor David Chess, told residents the property reassessment process is fair and that the ensuing taxes are based on the mill rate, which has yet to be set.
“A state-mandated revaluation can understandably raise questions, but I want to reassure property owners that this is a routine process designed to ensure fairness in how property values are assessed,” Hoydick said. “We encourage anyone with concerns to take advantage of the informal hearings and speak directly with Vision Government Solutions.”
Mayor-elect Chess issued his own statement on Friday via Facebook. He reported the value of his home also doubled. But he told residents to fear not because mill rates will be adjusted accordingly so that property taxes don’t also double.
“Dear Fellow Residents, We’ve all recently received our property assessments. Like many of you, I was surprised — my own home’s assessed value doubled.
From an investment standpoint, this is great news. Our property values have increased substantially. From a tax standpoint, here’s what you need to know: this does not mean your taxes will double. The current mill rate, which is 40.20, will be adjusted significantly downward when the new mill rate is set in the spring.
Put simply, the main factor affecting your tax bill is this: commercial property values have not increased as much as residential values. As a result, the tax burden will shift toward properties that had the largest increases in value. For some homeowners, taxes will increase substantially. For others, taxes may actually go down.
Here’s my commitment to you: If you have a disability, are a senior or a veteran on a fixed income, and are worried about an increase, protections will be in place to help safeguard you and your home. For everyone else, working closely with our Town Council and the finance department, there are processes and mechanisms such as phase ins which will help ease the burden and minimize the financial impact.”
