Updated 09/27/2012 12:26 PM
Golisano Challenging Assessment of Victor Home
To view our videos, you need to
enable JavaScript. Learn how.
install Adobe Flash 9 or above. Install now.
Then come back here and refresh the page.
Paychex founder Tom Golisano has sued the town of Victor and Ontario County for what he says is overpayment of property taxes. Golisano is challenging the tax assessment on a home he owned in Victor.
The civil suit is playing out in Ontario County Court. Media cameras were allowed in court Thursday.
Golisano's attorney says he filed a grievance every year for the past four years challenging the assessed value of the Malone Road home in Victor.
Golisano said the house cost five milliion dollars to build. He sold the home in February for $1.3 million. The town's most recent accesment was for $2.3 million.
Golisano took the stand Thursday.
"Really, what the issue is, an assessment is made by one person, usually an employee of a town who is a tax collector, okay, and if people don't agree with that assessment, the process they have to go through to challenge it is burdensome and it's costly, particularly if they go through the initial process with the town or village and they don't get the satisfaction they deserve, then they have to hire attorneys and they have to go through the court process," he said.
The town says the assessment was lowered each year based on the market.
The bench trial is expected to continue Friday. Golisano's attorney said the judge has a few weeks to make a final ruling.