As Fairfield completes its five-year property revaluation, albeit months late, many homeowners are likely to feel anxious about potential increases in their assessments and what that means for their family’s budget and finances, especially given that residential values are rising much faster than commercial property values. As a former realtor, I understand how market trends, valuations, and assessment changes affect families, neighborhoods, and long-term affordability. As your state senator and a candidate for First Selectperson, I also recognize the local government’s responsibility to protect taxpayers while providing the high-quality services our community expects and deserves.
This revaluation confirms what many of us already see in the market: home values have risen substantially since 2020, with estimates of 64% growth in residential assessments. By comparison, commercial property values have increased at a much slower pace, around 17%. This gap means that homeowners will likely bear a larger share of the tax burden unless we take clear, disciplined action. 1
If you wish to formally appeal your valuation, you may file an appeal with the Board of Assessment Appeals (BAA). Applications must be submitted to the Assessor’s Office between February 2, 2026, and February 20, 2026. The BAA hearings will be held in March 2026. 2
Let me be clear: Fairfield must remain a community where families, seniors, and young people can afford to live, grow, and succeed. That requires leadership that delivers quality services and manages taxes, because affordability is not just an economic issue; it’s a quality-of-life issue and a matter of whether people can stay in the town they love.
One of the reasons I am running for First Selectperson is to preserve excellent town services while protecting taxpayers through disciplined budgeting and smart economic growth. Fairfield’s affordability challenge will not be solved by raising taxes or overbuilding housing. It requires professional management, fiscal accountability, and an economic development strategy that strengthens our commercial base, so homeowners do not bear a disproportionate share of the burden.
My commitment is grounded in four concrete reforms 3 my administration will implement to mitigate rising costs and reduce the tax burden on residents:
1. Professional, accountable town management.
We cannot afford mismanagement or preventable financial mistakes. Modernizing Town Hall operations, enforcing strict purchasing policies, and implementing best practices across all departments protects services and safeguards taxpayer dollars.
2. Independent fiscal audits to rebuild trust.
We need management accountability. Regular financial audits will identify waste, improve transparency, and promote responsible spending, especially after this revaluation that shifts the tax burden onto homeowners.
3. Disciplined, priority-focused budgeting.
As residential assessments rise, we must control spending. My focus will remain on core services, including police, fire, public works, education, and critical infrastructure, while cutting nonessential costs and consultant-driven expenses. A stable budget protects our bond rating, lowers debt costs, and keeps taxes predictable.
4. Smart economic development to rebalance the tax burden.
The best long-term solution is to responsibly grow our commercial tax base. When commercial valuations lag residential ones by a significant margin, homeowners bear a disproportionate share of the burden. By supporting small businesses, attracting appropriately scaled commercial projects, and fostering a vibrant local economy, we can shift the burden away from homeowners without compromising Fairfield’s character.
This property revaluation increase should serve as a wake-up call: we need disciplined budgeting, better management, and stronger economic development to protect our affordability now and in the years ahead.
I want to hear from you. Please contact me at 203-807-8098 or Tony@TonyHwang.org to share your concerns, priorities, and hopes for Fairfield’s future. I respectfully ask for your trust and your vote for First Selectperson on February 3, 2026.
Together, we can ensure that Fairfield remains strong, affordable, and well-managed for everyone. For more information, visit https://tonyhwang.org/
Source:
1. https://www.fairfieldct.org/service/tax_assessor/property_revaluation.php
2. https://cms3.revize.com/revize/fairfield/service/tax_assessor/property_revaluation.php