People of Haines: have you had problems with your property tax assessment this year? Have you, your friends, family or neighbors been failed by the borough’s Lands Department?
I know I have. Problems began this year with the implementation of a new methodology that calculates the value of your home using a hybrid system of market sales and a rebuilt-as-new cost-based approach (normally used by insurance companies) that falsely inflates the value of homes, particularly older and DIY from scrap homes. The assessor’s office also views properties with a positive bias, ignoring or marginalizing obvious faults and problems. Going by this model, my 2010 Subaru is worth $40,000, because that’s how much it would cost me to replace it with a brand new 2023 model today.
This obviously makes no sense. If you agree, please sign a petition to cancel the contract with the borough’s current contract assessor. Petitions are available at Haines Home Building, Lutak Lumber, Arctic Chiropractic and many other local businesses. This will be the first step towards resolving the property tax assessment fiasco that has plagued Haines this year, and will go a long way in restoring trust in our local government.