Property Reassessment

reassessment

April 8, 2009

Access to firm online database concludes

By Jennifer Learn-Andes jandes@timesleader.com
Luzerne County Reporter
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Public access to the county reassessment company’s on-line searchable database ended Tuesday, prompting complaints from taxpayers who rely on the site for research.

“It’s a total disappointment. It was a public service. We continually find all the mistakes, and now they’ve taken this away from us,” Ed Chesnovitch said.

Luzerne County Assessment Appeals Board Chairman Andy Shiner said the assessor’s office doesn’t have budgeted funds to continue the service, and he noted that the assessor’s office in West Hazleton also was eliminated because of budget cuts.

Reassessment company 21st Century Appraisals Inc. charged $2,000 per month to provide the public database during reassessment, and a new price would have to be negotiated now that the reassessment contract has expired, said company representative Tim Barr.

21st Century will continue to allow property owners to view their own property using their password, but they won’t be able to research other properties from their own computers unless they pay a subscription fee of $9.95 per day, $49.95 per month, $149.95 for 90 days or $500 per year. The company will continue loading assessment updates, he said.

Barr said the county could opt to collect subscription payments from the public after paying 21st Century a flat fee. He would not estimate the amount of the fee but said it’s required to cover software, server and maintenance costs.

Shiner said all information on the reassessment company site is still available for public viewing at the county assessor’s office, which is located in the basement of the courthouse in Wilkes-Barre. Property information is also available on The Times Leader’s Web site at www.timesleader.com, he said.

Property owner Michelle Boice said she was inundated with complaints from property owners Tuesday after they discovered the site was inaccessible. She questions the excuse of financing, saying the county pumps millions into other projects.

“I think the county owes it to the people to provide this service until they are through with the process,” Boice said. “It’s just another stumbling block they threw in the path of the taxpayers.”

According to Barr, 4,552 property owners have used the site this year to date, logging in a total 25,262 times. The site includes photographs of all properties and a history of values from the start of reassessment through appeals.

Gambling tax-break update

Numerous property owners have questioned how to qualify for upcoming gambling-funded school property tax breaks.

Property owners who signed up for homestead exclusions will receive the reduction in school taxes, though the state has not yet determined the amount for 2009.

About 87,000 Luzerne County property owners have signed up for the exclusion.

Property owners who have not signed up should contact the assessor’s office at 825-1869 for more information.

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