Structure mistakes add to misgivings

Homer Baker owns a vacant parcel at Harveys Lake but was assessed for a house and garage by the reassessment company.

The same house and garage were also added to Robert Cook’s property, but Cook doesn’t own them either.

The 2,240-square-foot garage actually belongs to the Harveys Lake Fire and Ambulance Co.

Baker and Cook received a value of $11,200 for the garage, but the same structure was valued at $20,160 for the ambulance company.

Baker and Cook say that mistake -- and others found in their own values -- is further evidence of serious problems with Luzerne County’s reassessment.

“The process is ludicrous,” Cook said. “I feel some, not only myself, but others in the valley, have to take time off work to correct their work. We’re doing their work for them.”

Baker said he recognized the beige, one-story house that doesn’t exist on his property because it was previously owned by his son on another tract.

His son had sold the house on a 0.32-acre for $134,021 in May 2007. The new owners, Raymond and Marla Wismer, received an assessed value of $190,000 -- $147,400 for the house and $42,600 for the land.

Baker noted the reassessment company valued the same house at $168,335 on his parcel.

Baker found the beige house on Cook’s property as he started researching other properties in the online database set up by the reassessment company 21st Century Appraisals Inc.

The database shows one picture of Cook’s 1856 wood two-story home, but the two other photos are of the beige house. Cook’s property description says he has a vinyl one-story built in 2004.

Cook received a $190,576 value for his house, but doesn’t know if this was for his real house or the beige one.

An above-ground pool was added to the Baker and Cook parcels, though neither property owner has a pool.

No value was placed on the pool for Baker, but the pool was valued at $10,174 on Cook’s new assessment. Above-ground pools are not supposed to be taxed.

Baker said he recognizes the pool because it belongs on the Wismer parcel. As a side note, the pool is not listed on the Wismer property.

“I wonder if the house, garage and pool are listed on any other properties,” Baker said. “There are a lot of older people who don’t know how to run a computer to check this out. I hope people are looking out for them.”

21st Century representatives say mistakes should be expected in a mass appraisal, and they urge property owners to take advantage of informal reviews.

Baker said he tried to take advantage of the 21st Century’s offer to correct errors on its Web site, so he wouldn’t have to take time for an informal review. However, he said he has not yet received a response to comments posted about three weeks ago. In fairness, he pointed out 21st Century responded to comments he left about problems with another parcel he owns in Lake Township.

Baker said he didn’t want to risk the errors not being corrected, so he decided to go straight to a formal appeal, though he hasn’t received a hearing date.

He also has a problem with his acreage, saying he owns 2.1 acres. The county has listed him at 4.3 acres. His new assessed value, which includes the non-existent structures, is $660,200.

Cook said he had already painstakingly reviewed his property description when 21st Century sent out preliminary information in 2006. He pointed out some errors at that time and was assured that they would be corrected. The beige house, pool and garage were not listed on his 2006 description.

Cook said he will undergo an informal review, though he still had to file a formal appeal because 21st Century could not squeeze in an informal review before the formal appeal filing deadline.

A licensed Realtor, Cook said the new values in Harveys Lake are not an accurate reflection of the real estate market there.

Homestead check

Reassessment on radio

County officials say property owners should contact the assessor’s office if they suspect any abuse of homestead tax exemptions.

Property owners may claim one homestead exemption on their primary residence. Parents may also qualify when they deed their homes to children but still continue to live there, something known as “life tenancy.”

Information on which property owners are approved for homestead may be found at the reassessment company’s Web site, www.courthouseonline.com. Property owners must enter their control numbers and passwords.

Homestead approval is indicated on the “general information” page of each property owner.

Two Luzerne County representatives will be on Steve Corbett’s radio talk show Thursday to field questions and respond to feedback about the reassessment, said county Communications Director Jason Jarecki.

Tim Barr, of reassessment company 21st Century Appraisals Inc., and county assessor’s office director Tony Alu will be on the WILK radio show from 4 to 6 p.m., Jarecki said.

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Two property owners: Errors reflect overall serious flaws in county values.

Homestead check

Reassessment on radio

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