Garfield resident questions steep hike in property taxes

A member of Garfield’s planning and zoning board is questioning the city after a large increase – which was later adjusted – in an assessed property value.

Kevin Pickron has been working on his house at 408 West Adams Street for the past two and half years after buying it from a bank in a foreclosure sale for $44,000.

“The plumbing was rotten, the electrical unsafe,” said Pickron.

He put in new windows, painted and fixed the chimney.

A new assessment in September put the value at $81,000.

“All of a sudden, we see a dramatic increase,” Pickron said.

He spoke to the city council Sept. 24, detail...