Uncovering What’s Wrong With the Property Tax Assessment System and Holding Local Governments Accountable

The system we use to determine property taxes is broken. Sloppy math and systemic accounting issues are giving the richest a discount on property taxes, and leading to overcharges on the less wealthy. Not only is this unjust, but it’s also straining town and city budgets. You’ll hear from Joe Minicozzi and Lanier Hagerty of Urban3 about the Just Accounting initiative, which has been analyzing property taxes in Western North Carolina and finding glaring inequities in the assessment process. Learn what you need to know to do the math and challenge the system in your community. This session will present the final report that concludes an 18-month research and advocacy process spearheaded by Urban3, Strong Towns, the Racial Justice Coalition of Asheville, and the University of North Carolina Asheville’s Department of Health and Wellness, with funding from the Dogwood Health Trust.

Speakers: Joe Minicozzi and Lanier Hagerty (Urban3)