The Luzerne County Reassessment meetings wrap up at the end of this week. I attended the meeting at the Wyoming Valley West Middle School on April 3. I’ll pass along what I learned in case everyone living here passed up the chance to attend the free meetings. The guy who made the presentation at our meeting identified himself as Sean Powelsworth (I’m using phoenetic spelling here). He said he is the Project Director at 21st Century Appraisals, Inc. which is the company hired by Luzerne County. (A link to their website: (http://www.21appr.com/index.aspx)

The purpose of real estate reassessment is to keep property values fair, consistent and current. This is done so that each property owner will be paying their fair and proper share of the tax burden. The problem in Luzerne County is that the last time a countywide reassessment was completed happened way back in 1965. The typical periods between reassessments are 20 to 25 years. So Luzerne County went 43 years without doing this. No comment.

In a month or so, we should all begin receiving a Change of Assessment Notice. These mailings are staggered and by July 1, 2008, all homeowners will have received one. This form will provide the assessed value of the land and buildings. Should a formal hearing be requested, homeowners have 40 days from the date on the Change of Assessment Notice to call and schedule an informal review and to file an appeal to the Board of Assessment Appeals. Further appeal can be filed with the Court of Common Pleas. I hope few will have to go that far.

All formal appeals at the county level must be heard before the Board of Assessment Appeals by Halloween. From there, the new values will be certified on or before November 15, 2008. The new tax base will go into effect on January 1, 2009. Sean Powelsworth reviewed the appeal process again and encouraged everyone to take the handouts available.

There were about 200 in attendance. All of us had an attitude toward Sean Powelsworth, Project Director. I think the poor bugger came there alone. I’m surprised he didn’t have Secret Service protection. Talk about being the bearer of bad news, I felt hostile toward him before he even opened his mouth. The crowd was with me.

Mr. Powelsworth told us that not everyone’s taxes will increase. About one-third of the tax bills will go down, one-third will remain the same and one-third will increase. Now, to be fair, Mr. P. might be right but the room grumbled. More than a few scoffed right out loud. Poor Mr. P. then told us that there is a state law that says that after the tax base has been equalized and brought to current market value, the millage must be reduced in order to collect the same revenue as collected in the previous year. They are limited to a 10% real estate tax increase in their budget. Nobody believed him, but I don’t think he can say it if it weren’t true. Am I right?

I’m sorry. After the recent Luzerne County scandals, the public is left feeling a little gritty. Kind of like the feeling you get at the beach when sand gets in your underwear. That was the mood of my gang at the middle school.

Well, let’s stay optimistic. We could be part of the one-third whose taxes decrease. I’d be happy to be in the one-third that says the same. Here’s a fun link on the Citizen’s Voice website to the Luzerne County Reassessment Database. Check out your own house. Heck, check out your neighbors, too. Misery loves company.

http://www.citizensvoice.com/site/news.cfm?brd=2259&pag=460&dept_id=641490&nr=1&nostat=1