News

July 2, 2008

W-B has yet to OK new values

Concern is that city’s 2009 budget must be passed a whole month before appeals deadline.

By Bill O'Boyle boboyle@timesleader.com
Times Leader Staff Writer
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WILKES-BARRE – City residents received their new property assessments as part of the countywide reassessment, but still don’t know how their city tax bills will be affected.

The city hasn’t decided whether to accept the new Luzerne County assessment figures. Hazleton, Nanticoke and Pittston – the county’s three other cities – have agreed to accept the county’s assessment figures established by 21st Century Appraisals Inc.

The uncertainty affects only city tax bills. Wilkes-Barre property owners’ property taxes for the school and county will be based on the new figures.

Mayor Tom Leighton said the city is evaluating the new figures, but is concerned about the city’s 2009 budget, which is due a month before the deadline for assessment appeals.

“I’m not saying the county assessment is wrong, or that I disagree with what they are doing; my concern is how it will affect the city’s financial planning,” Leighton said.

The decision isn’t up to the mayor; council must vote on whether to go with the new figures.

Council Chairwoman Kathy Kane said many issues need to be weighed before council votes.

“People are concerned,” Kane said. “They are dealing with a lot of economic issues right now like gas prices and food costs. We as a council have not made a decision.”

Leighton said city officials are looking at the new numbers but the uncertainty makes it difficult to prepare a budget.

“My budget for the city is due, by law, Oct. 15,” Leighton said. “Due to potential appeals, we won’t know what the actual assessed values are; therefore, we can’t calculate the anticipated tax revenue.”

The 2008 city budget totals $37 million and the taxing rate is 73.63 mills. A mill is a $1 tax for every $1,000 of assessed value.

“Many city residents will be appealing their new assessed values,” Leighton said. “I just don’t see how all those appeals will be completed by the deadline.”

Leighton and Kane said their assessed values were reasonable and neither anticipated filing an appeal. Leighton lives on Reliance Drive and Kane resides on South Meade Street.

“We can’t just accept the new values without knowing if they will change,” Leighton said. “By not using the new values, we know where we are.”

Bill O’Boyle, a Times Leader staff writer, can be reached at 829-7218.

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