(a) The equalized municipal property tax grand lists for each town, unorganized town and gore, and the unified towns and gores of Essex County shall be the basis of taxation for county purposes.

(b) Annually, on or before January 1, the Director shall provide to each county treasurer the equalized municipal property tax grand list for each town, unorganized town, and gore within the county, and the unified towns and gores of Essex County. "Equalized municipal property tax grand list" in this section shall mean the equalized education property tax grand list as defined in chapter 135 of this title plus inventory, machinery, and equipment subject to municipal tax in that municipality at its grand list value. (Amended 1971, No. 73, § 7; 1977, No. 105, § 14(a); 1977, No. 105, § 14(a); 1999, No. 49, § 5, eff. June 2, 1999; 2011, No. 143 (Adj. Sess.), § 35, eff. May 15, 2012.)