Town of Darien: Tax Assessor's Office

Frequently Asked Questions About Revaluation

The town contracted with Cole-Layer-Trumble Company (CLT) to perform a complete revaluation of all real property within the Town effective on the Grand List of 10/1/03. CLT is the nation's largest appraisal company, with experience dating back to 1938. The firm's professional and State Certified appraisers, many with 20 to 30 years of experience, are supported by state-of-the art computer systems for municipalities of all sizes and types.

During the data collection phase, experienced appraisers start to set value each property in the Town. Their initial only job is to collect/verify information on land and structures, including sketches and measurements of buildings. Data collectors and other appraisal workers carried identification cards where CLT personnel were registered with the Darien Police Department.

Experienced appraisers then reviewed each record card and each property to establish the fair market value. Depending on various factors, there may be other reviews before values are finalized.

The appraisers did not create property values, but reflect values as they are set by owners who buy or sell properties within the jurisdiction. To analyze and set values requires extensive research into conditions in the market place, construction costs, income and expense data for commercial properties and recent sales. For most properties, a comparable sales analysis is generated as a quality control on fair market value.

Before the values were reviewed and finalized by the Town, appraisal notices were sent to all taxpayers, offering them the opportunity to attend informal reviews if they have questions about their new values.

Market studies of real estate are made in the community and valuations are related to the market, as it exists. "The purpose of the program is to equalize rather than raise taxes".

What this equalization program does is to straighten out the peaks and valleys in property values that have occurred over the years with rapid growth, inflation and economic change. Taxpayers whose properties have been undervalued in comparison to others will have to pay a larger share of property tax. Other taxpayers will be paying less than they did before. Many will pay about the same.

The Assessor has given complete confidence in CLT, stating that they've revalued some of the largest and most complex cities and counties in the country, as well as the smallest. "They're certainly qualified and ethical which has given Darien great results in the equalization programs."