Dear Mr. Proakis/George:
Happy New Year for you and yours. All the best for 2026.
On January 2, 2026, I received and reviewed my 3rd Qt. Fiscal Year 2026 Real Estate Tax Bill. I took the time to compare CPA Taxes for Fiscal Years 2025 and 2026.
I anticipate that the findings that I will describe are not unique to my property. But, would appear systemwide in the manner in which the CPA tax was applied in Fiscal Year 2025.
In my opinion: the manner in which the CPA Taxes are calculated should be reviewed. There is no consistency in the value used as a base for the FY 25 CPA tax. Watertown property owners should not be financially penalized for the City’s internal calculation discrepancies.
I am not contesting an assessment. I am pointing out a City of Watertown posting error that must be corrected and recalculated for FY 25.
Recent Fiscal Year history is as follows:
- Fiscal Year 2023, 2% CPA Taxes were calculated on Total Taxable Value, after the Residential Exemption was applied
- Fiscal Year 2024, 2% CPA Taxes were calculated on Total Taxable Value, after the Residential Exemption was applied
- Fiscal Year 2025, 2% CPA Taxes were calculated on the Assessed Value, before the Residential Exemption was applied. My CPA Tax on Real Estate Tax bill #10488 was increased by $75.64.
- Fiscal Year 2026, 2% CPA Taxes were calculated on Total Taxable Value, after the Residential Exemption was applied
It seems as though, during the FY 25 formula entry; the Residential Exemption was not entered as a “minus”. Therefore, the Residential Exemption entry appears as an exemption, after the 2% CPA Tax has been calculated, based on the Total Real Estate Tax.
There must be a set standard when dealing with taxpayer dollars. Please advise with a status update, after the CPA calculations have been resolved. Thank you.
Best,
Angie
Angeline Maria B. Kounelis
Retired Watertown District A, East End, City Councilor
Greetings,
I met with Mr. George Proakis, today. According to his clarification: software changes resulted in a different format on the tax bills. Mr. Proakis will followup with additional information.
Thank you.
Best,
Angie
Angeline Maria B. Kounelis
Retired Watertown District A, East End, City Councilor
What exactly does this mean? Error on towns end and we will all be reimbursed? What’s the timeline for this “follow up”?
Angie,
You’re a retired City Councilor, but still looking out for this community. Thank you for your continued diligence!
Angie, thank you for taking the time to analyze the real estate tax bill. As we are all watching our own expenses, house taxes are a big line entry for us and the City needs to be consistent and transparent with our bills.
If a different format will be used, there should be an explanation with any bill. It shouldn’t have to fall on dedicated citizens such as you to do the work and inquiry. There need to be checks and balances in all of our systems.
It will be interesting to see the explanation from Manager Proakis.