Allegheny County residents may have been given a reprieve from having to use new property reassessments for tax purposes this year, but the assessment process is ongoing, and the new values will be used in 2013. County leaders having been holding a series of meetings aimed at helping residents understand the process and learn how to file formal and informal appeals.
The meetings give residents a chance to talk with County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and a County Council member who represents their district.
"At this time, it sounds like people do more venting than anything," said County Council Vice President Nick Futules. "They're complaining that their house went up and their neighbor's went down, 'I live in a condo and they're all exactly the same size, so why are they different prices? My property value went up a whole lot and my house went up a little' — I mean, there's a multitude of questions."
Futules said these town hall meetings allow residents to voice their frustrations and learn how to go about correctly filing their appeals. Even while they're encouraged to do that, the county is still planning on a larger challenge to the process.
"Allegheny County is a victim just like the people. We did not want this reassessment. It was ordered by the courts," said Futules.
He said he expects lawsuits will start popping up soon. The deadline to file a formal appeal is April 2.
Meetings are as follows:
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Linton Middle School Auditorium
260 Aster Street in Penn Hills -
Baldwin High School
4653 Clairton Blvd in Baldwin -
Brashear High School
590 Crane Avenue in Pittsburgh -
CCAC Allegheny Campus
808 Ridge Road in Pittsburgh -
Chartiers Valley Intermediate School
2030 Swallow Hill Road in Scott Township -
Shaler Area High School
381 Wible Run Road in Shaler Township
