2021 Grand List Signed

The Middletown Assessor Damon Braasch has completed the 2021 Grand List.  The Grand List is the aggregate valuation of taxable property within a given town, and is used to determine the mill rate for both City and Fire District property taxes.  Compared to the 2020 Grand List, the 2021 List increased in value by 114.2 million dollars, or 3.2 percent.  A year ago, the Grand List increased by 44 million dollars, or 1.25 percent.
 
Although there were increases due to new construction and home improvements more than half of that change, 86 million, came from an unprecedented increase in motor vehicle values.
 
To ensure equity in assessments throughout the State, under Sec. 12-71d. of the Connecticut General Statutes all Assessor’s must use the same pricing schedule to determine the assessment of motor vehicles.   The Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management has recommend all Assessor’s use the October 2021 National Automobile Dealers Association (N.A.D.A.) Guides in preparation of their Grand Lists. 
 
Using the average retail value, the year-to-year assessment of motor vehicles has increased by 25% on average.  The reasons are largely based on supply and demand.  There are industry-wide shortages due to supply chain issues, semi-conductor availability, the pandemic, and the supply of used cars.  In recent months the increase in motor vehicle values have been the topic of several articles in the New York Times, Kelly Blue Book, J.D. Powers, and C|Net.
 
Braasch said he was surprised at the increase. “Assessors have been warned this was coming, although I don’t know if we were expecting this kind of change.” 
 
Braasch added, “The Grand List showed significant growth in each fire district.”
 
The City Fire District had a net increase of $52.7 million, or 3.9 percent; South Fire District had a net increase of $32.8 million or 2.9 percent; Westfield Fire District had a net increase of $28.6 million, or 2.6 percent.
 
District - 1
2020GL - $1,368,012,486
2021GL - $1,420,787,885
Grand List $ change - $52,775,399
Percentage - 3.9%

District - 2
2020GL - $1,129,002,302
2021GL - $1,161,838,847
Grand List $ change - $32,836,545
Percentage - 2.9%

District - 3
2020GL - $1,098,448,927
2021GL - $1,127,080,389
Grand List $ change - $28,631,462
Percentage - 2.6%

District - City
2020GL - $3,595,463,715
2021GL - $3,709,707,121
Grand List $ change - $114,243,406
Percentage - 3.2%