CHENANGO COUNTY – After receiving its tax assessment in 2013, Chobani is asking for over 50 percent off in tax reductions for its properties in Norwich and Columbus, totaling a $13 million difference in property value.

In a letter sent to the Columbus Town Board dated September 26, 2017, Chobani Senior Vice President of Corporate Affairs Michael Gonda wrote, “As you are aware, it recently became clear to us that the property-tax valuation set for our facilities is outdated and, we believe, inflated.”

Gonda wrote the letter in response to the $27.24 million dollar assessment by the Town of Columbus tax assessor in 2013. Court records indicate Chobani is petitioning to have its properties in Columbus reassessed down to $17.5 million.

The letter did not address Chobani’s Norwich property reassessment, but court records show the company is requesting around an 80 percent reduction, from $4.9 million dollars to $1.03 million dollars.

“Chobani is already enrolled in a 10-year tax abatement, which reduces the company’s taxes by 50 percent,” said Town of Columbus Supervisor Thomas Grace.

Grace said the property was assessed in 2013 and only after receiving a mortgage of $27.5 million dollars on January, 2017, was the petition for a tax reduction to $17.5 million dollars filed.

In the letter, Gonda indicated that harm to the company’s growth could impact the benefits it offers to the local community.