Fluctuations in quarterly property tax amount

As far as I can see, NYC determines the value of your condo (or other property) once a year before the fiscal year begins and bases the quarterly property tax payments over the ensuing year on this value. I have noticed that for my condo, these quarterly amounts vary within the fiscal year, going both up and down. If the value determination is made only once for a fiscal year, why do these amounts... [more]

As far as I can see, NYC determines the value of your condo (or other property) once a year before the fiscal year begins and bases the quarterly property tax payments over the ensuing year on this value. I have noticed that for my condo, these quarterly amounts vary within the fiscal year, going both up and down. If the value determination is made only once for a fiscal year, why do these amounts fluctuate? Reason I am wondering is because I have to make a payment that is pegged to this property tax (details not worth getting into) and the most recent quarterly tax payment, in 6/2013, was significantly higher than past payments. Naturally, the payee wants my payment pegged to this tax payment whereas I would like it pegged to some average of past payments. The Account History report for my property shows the quarterly tax payments for the rest of 2013/4 as the same as the 6/2013 amount, but the actual payment over the last X years has NEVER been constant over a fiscal year. Ultimately, it is not a large sum of money we are talking about, but I'd like a better understanding of this. [less]