Officials Reflect on Success of Schuylkill County Reassessments
The Schuylkill County commissioners took time to review the countywide reassessment project Thursday, commending the valuation and appeals processes completed over the past three years.
Although they expressed concerns about the state-mandated reassessment model, which they consider flawed, the commissioners extended their gratitude to the county tax assessment office, reassessment appeals boards, and all involved parties for their work updating assessments for over 92,000 parcels in the county.
Reassessment Background
In 2022, the commissioners hired Vision Government Solutions, a Massachusetts-based company, to perform the reassessment—the first in Schuylkill County since 1996. This effort was required under a settlement from a lawsuit filed by the Community Justice Project on behalf of local property owners who argued that the current assessments violated state law.
Reassessment Process
- Updated assessed values were mailed to residents during the summer.
- Those unhappy with their new valuations could appeal from July through October.
- New tax rates based on these updated valuations will be applied in 2026.
"The reassessment project reflects a significant step in ensuring fair property taxation in Schuylkill County."
Author’s summary: Schuylkill County's multi-year reassessment process, though controversial, has been successfully completed, updating property values to reflect fairness and legal compliance.