Anderson Calls for Clear Taxpayer Protections During Clifton Property Revaluation

CLIFTON, N.J. — September 7, 2026 — City Council candidate Tafari K. Anderson today called for a stronger public-information and taxpayer-protection effort as Clifton’s citywide property revaluation moves forward.

The City of Clifton updated its public revaluation notice on August 31. The notice says Appraisal Systems, Inc. (ASI) is conducting property inspections, beginning in the northern section of the city and proceeding in block-and-lot order. The city advises that inspectors generally visit within three weeks of an assigned date, must carry official identification, and should not be admitted unless the resident confirms that the visitor is an assigned inspector with proper ID. The city’s notice also lists the authorized inspectors and directs residents to ASI at (201) 493-8530 for questions.

Clifton’s Tax Assessor explains that the purpose of assessment is to distribute the necessary property-tax burden fairly according to property value. The assessor determines value but does not set the total amount of taxes collected; annual budget requirements from the municipality, county, and school district drive the tax rate. In practical terms, a new assessment by itself does not determine whether an individual bill rises or falls. The final effect depends on the tax levy and each property’s value relative to the citywide tax base.

“A citywide revaluation is too important to be handled with scattered notices and uncertainty,” Anderson said. “Residents deserve accurate information, respectful inspections, strong safeguards against impersonation, and a clear explanation of how assessments, spending decisions, and tax rates work together. Transparency is not an extra—it is a basic duty of local government.”

Anderson is calling on Clifton to establish a public revaluation information program that includes:

• A regularly updated inspection-area map and weekly progress report;
• Advance notice by neighborhood, with a simple way to verify an inspector’s name and identification number;
• A plain-language explanation of how revaluation affects assessments but does not independently set the overall tax levy;
• Public information sessions for homeowners, seniors, veterans, landlords, renters, and small-business owners;
• Clear written instructions on reviewing property records, correcting factual errors, requesting an informal review, and preserving appeal rights; and
• Prompt publication of the final timeline, tax-rate calculation, and anticipated effect on typical property classes before new bills are issued.

New Jersey’s Property Taxpayer Bill of Rights says taxpayers are entitled to fair and equitable treatment and to understandable information about how assessments are calculated and how to challenge an assessment. Anderson said Clifton should meet that standard proactively, including multilingual and accessible notices and protections for seniors and residents who may be targeted by scams.

“Fiscal responsibility requires more than promising lower taxes,” Anderson said. “It requires disciplined budgets, transparent spending, responsible development, and honest communication about who pays for government. I will fight for property-tax relief while insisting that every resident receives the facts, the safeguards, and the fair process they are owed.”

About Tafari Anderson

Tafari K. Anderson is a technologist, education leader, taxpayer advocate, and candidate for Clifton City Council. His campaign is focused on affordability, public safety, accountable government, responsible development, infrastructure, and practical solutions that put Clifton families and local businesses first.