Wall Township in New Jersey owes Realty Appraisal about $500,000 for work performed on a revaluation, but also wants the company to turn over computer data that shows how the new property values were calculated. Wall officials say residents’ faith in the new property values is badly shaken because of questions about the relationship with the company.
“I’m dealing with residents calling elected officials, saying that the credibility of the revaluation is completely eroded,” Township Administrator Jeff Bertrand told the Asbury Park Press following a hearing at New Jersey Tax Court.
Wall was seeking the data as well as an extension of the April 1 appeal filing deadline that was part of a consent order approved by Tax Court Judge Mala Sundar last year. Sundar said she could not extend the appeal filing deadline, delaying a decision on whether she could force Realty Appraisal to give Wall the data to allow the two sides to negotiate an agreement over payment.
Realty Appraisal says it won’t hand over the computer data, called the CAMA file, until Wall pays the balance due.
“Realty Appraisal has done everything in its power to complete the revaluation in advance of the Tax Court's deadlines,” Realty Appraisal attorney Philip Elberg said. “Property owners can appeal their new property values even if Wall doesn't have the CAMA file.”
Wall stopped paying Realty Appraisal in July when township officials realized the municipal assessor, William Fitzpatrick, was working as a subcontractor for Realty Appraisal even after Bertrand told him two years prior to end the relationship so as to avoid a conflict. Wall paid Realty Appraisal $180,000 before it cut off payments.
“Fitzpatrick's potential conflict is why Wall needs the CAMA file, which details how Realty Appraisal came up with the new property tax values,” Bertrand said. “Realty Appraisal violated the contract with the potential conflict of interest and because it did not conduct internal inspections of 90 percent of the property.”