Town Assessor
The Town Assessor’s Office is responsible for establishing fair and equitable assessments of all taxable property in the Town of Oakfield.
Meet Barry Flansburgh
Barry Flansburg has proudly served as the Town Assessor for the Town of Oakfield since January 1, 1992, bringing more than three decades of experience to the community. In addition to Oakfield, Barry currently serves as the assessor for the Towns of Elba and Alabama.
Barry conducts annual reassessments in all three towns in an effort to keep property values as close to current market value as possible. This process helps maintain fair and equitable assessments that reflect changes in the local real estate market. He also works with property owners to answer questions, explain the assessment process, and provide information regarding property values and exemptions.
Barry has resided in the Town of Barre in Orleans County for more than 42 years. He and his wife, Carolyn, have three children and six grandchildren, all of whom live in Orleans County.
With decades of experience in municipal assessment, Barry remains committed to providing residents and property owners with a fair, accurate, and professional assessment process.
Important Dates in the Assessment Cycle
MAR 1
Taxable Status Date
Exemption filing deadline.
MAY 1
Tentative Roll
Tentative assessment roll filed.
MAY
Grievance Day
The Wednesday following the 4th Tuesday in May.
JUL 1
Final Roll
Final assessment roll filed with the Town Clerk.
ASSESSMENT INFORMATION
Understanding the Assessment Process
Learn more about the assessment process, the responsibilities of the Assessor, and who to contact when you have questions about your property assessment.
Informal Review Process
The Assessor’s Office will continue to offer property owners an Informal Review Process. If you feel your assessment is incorrect then you must provide the Assessor with reasonable information, based on market sales, that supports your opinion of market value. It is the goal of the Assessor’s Office to determine the fair and equitable assessment for your property.
Duties of the Assessor
The assessor is the official who estimates the value of real property within the town boundaries. This value is converted into an assessment, which is one component in the computation of real property tax bills. The assessor maintains the assessment roll – the document that contains every property’s assessment. To do this, the physical description, or inventory, and value estimate of every parcel of real estate in the town is kept up-to-date. All assessment information is public record and available for inspection in the office. The assessment roll shows assessments and appropriate exemptions.
Whom Do I Contact with Questions?
The assessor is continually communicating with the public, answering questions, and dealing with concerns raised by taxpayers. Anyone can examine the assessment roll and property records at any time.
It is up to individual property owners to monitor their own assessments. Taxpayers who feel they are not being fairly assessed should meet with the assessor before the tentative assessment roll is established. In an informal setting the assessor can explain how the assessment was determined and the rationale behind it.
Assessors are interested only in fairly assessing property in their assessing unit. If your assessment is correct and your tax bill still seems too high, the assessor cannot change that. Complaints to the assessor must be about how property is assessed. Informal meetings with assessors to resolve assessment questions about the next assessment roll can take place throughout the year.
If, after speaking with your assessor, you still feel you are unfairly assessed, ask for the booklet, How to File a Complaint on Your Assessment. It describes how to prepare and file a complaint with the Board of Assessment Review for an assessment reduction and indicates the time it can be done.
To learn more about the assessment process, please call the Assessor at 948-5835 ext. 104 or send a fax to 948-8108.The following are links to easy-to-understand and very informative brochures published by the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance. They are also available at the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance website (tax.ny.gov) and the Town of Oakfield Assessor’s Office.
Helpful Resources
Quick access to assessment information, exemptions, tax resources, and the grievance process.
The Job of the Assessor
Learn about the Assessor’s responsibilities.
How Property Tax Works
How assessments relate to property taxes.
Property Tax Cycle
Review the annual assessment and tax cycle.
Current Tax Roll Information
Access current assessment roll information.
Veterans Exemptions
Learn about available exemptions for qualifying veterans.
Senior Citizen Exemptions
Review senior citizen exemption requirements and how to apply.
File a Complaint on Assessment
Learn about the grievance and assessment review process.
The NYS Assessor’s Association publishes a helpful pamphlet explaining assessments and property taxes. Copies are also available through the Assessor’s Office.