Bangor property inspections to start later than planned

The first revaluation in 37 years of Bangor’s more than 11,000 properties has been pushed back by months.

The first step of Bangor’s Citywide Revaluation Project, to inspect every site in Bangor, including vacant land, single- and multi-family homes, industrial spaces and commercial properties, was supposed to begin in June or July, but is now slated to start in October.

The goal of a revaluation is to ensure property owners are being taxed fairly for what they own and the city’s tax burden is divided equitably. While some residents’ tax bills may go up after the revaluation, the process can also lead to a reduction in a community’s tax rate, said Debbie Laurie, Bangor city manager.

The value of a person’s home influences the size of their tax bill. Bangor’s current property tax rate, which is determined through municipal, county and school budgets, is $18.55 per $1,000 of valuation. This means a home worth $200,000 will receive a $3,710 tax bill while a $400,000 home will pay $7,420 in taxes.

The months-long delay comes from a lag in moving the city’s appraisal information, including property owner names, mailing addresses and property characteristics, from one software platform to another.

Currently, the city uses a software called TRIO to organize its appraisal information. KRT Appraisal, the company the city hired to conduct the revaluation, needs the information loaded onto new appraisal software provided by the Catalis/Patriot software company, according to Phil Drew, Bangor’s city assessor.

Catalis/Patriot was supposed to deliver software loaded with the city’s information to KRT Appraisal by June, but the company now expects that information will be ready by September 20, Drew said.

Residents’ new property values are expected to take effect in September 2026, Drew said.

The delay will not change KRT Appraisal’s plan to give the city its new revaluation numbers in July of 2026, according to Drew.

This story has been updated with the correct current tax rate in Bangor.