Buffalo, NY –Assessment and Taxation Commissioner Jason Shell announced today that the revaluation process on all real property in the City of Buffalo is complete and residents and business owners will soon be receiving the impact notices in the mail. The 2020 Assessment Preliminary Disclosure Notices include value assessments based on current market standards to ensure that every property owner is paying their fair share of property taxes. Each Assessment Preliminary Disclosure Notice also contains information on Informal Review Sessions where property owners can seek assistance and speak with the project contractor about their specific assessment. These sessions can be individually scheduled by calling (716) 559-1952. To avoid wait time, residents are encouraged to schedule an appointment. The informal review process is a property owner’s opportunity to discuss their individual property assessment. Residents can also find more information, including a FAQ Sheet, at www.buffalony.gov. “I am satisfied with the results of this citywide revaluation project,” said Mayor Byron W. Brown. “Value increases in every neighborhood is unprecedented. This process is necessary in order to cultivate a City of opportunity for all people. An updated fair assessment creates the conditions for equity, needed to ensure that everyone pays their fair share. Additionally, the public engagement process will give everyone the opportunity to understand the impact over the next year.” “The data in our system now is the best it has ever been. The multi-year process utilizing cutting edge technology has achieved equity in the tax roll,” said Assessment and Taxation Commissioner Jason Shell. “If one property or neighborhood is significantly under-assessed, they are not only paying too little in taxes but other property owners are subsidizing that taxpayer’s or neighborhood’s share of the tax bill. Property owners should also keep in mind that a change in assessment does not necessarily mean a change in their tax bill. Roughly a third of the real estate value in the City of Buffalo will remain the same.” The project contractor, Emminger, Newton, Pigeon & Magyar, Inc. (ENPM), examined more than 93,000 residential and commercial properties within the City of Buffalo and performed over 100,000 edits to provide the most fair and accurate property value data. Property owners were able to participate by submitting forms verifying information about their properties. The project began in 2015 and is the first citywide revaluation since 2001. The revaluation project utilized state of-the-art technology to maximize accuracy of property analysis, including scanning over 1.2 million city property documents, creation of the Online Assessment Review System (OARS) and used street and aerial imagery. The City contracted with ENPM to assist with the valuation of all residential and commercial property. GAR Associates was selected to value all highly complex commercial parcels as well as non-profit, religious, educational and government owned parcels.