WATERBURY, CT (WFSB) -
Waterbury residents received a tax bill increase, which is the result of the state mandated property re-evaluation.
City officials said it had no other option than to raise the mill rate by 15 points. Waterbury Mayor Neil O'Leary said the increase is not to raise additional tax revenue.
"Residential values in Waterbury have plummeted approximately 30 percent, and commercials values are down 20 percent," O'Leary said. "However, with the economy improving, we're hopeful we will see a positive impact on property values, and that will allow us to adjust the mill rate in the future."
This tax bill increase came as a surprise to some homeowners.
"I've been beside myself," said Waterbury resident Sharon Trainor. "It went up almost $1,000. You know I have to pay taxes, but I wasn't counting on that."
This means homeowners will now pay nearly $57 for every $1,000 their house is worth.
"My thought was its really high," said Larry Lawrence, a Waterbury resident. "It went up higher than I thought it would, and I was a little surprised at that."
Officials said the tax bills must be paid by Aug. 1, or residents will have a penalty.
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