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Tioga Reassessments Cause Controversy

Tioga Reassessments Cause Controversy - Wednesday, July 9, 2008 at 5:04PM EST

Reported by: Jeremy Deebel
Wednesday, Jul 9, 2008 @ 05:04pm EST
Wellsboro, Tioga County-

Controversy over property reassessments in Tioga County. And records show the company that completed the assessments is the same one that's caused headaches for property owners in Luzerne County.

Dave Kurzejewski is co-owner of Costy's Salvage Yard here in Tioga County. He, like many others, experienced sticker shock when he received his new property reassessment. Kurzejewski recalled, "I did not know they were going to do the reassessment. We got it in the mail, and my brother and I both looked at it, and we knew it was way out of line."

Some here say they saw their property values increase by 300, 400, and even 500 percent on the new assessments. An incorrect tax millage was also used in the calculations, which could've cost taxpayers even more.

The assessments were completed by 21st Century Appraisals, the same company that worked on reassessments in Luzerne County.

County Commissioner Erick Coolidge explained, "In the midst of the work that gets done there is always an opportunity for adjustment and/or error. If the numbers don't quite jive, you need to back up. You need to make another approach."

So the Tioga County Commissioners did just that. At a meeting attended by hundreds of fuming property owners Tuesday morning, the commissioners rescinded the new reassessments.

Kurzejewski noted, "They did exactly what they promised and said they would do."

Until further notice they will revert back to the values of the last assessment completed back in 2001. It's a move that has satisfied property owners we spoke with, who say they expect all parties involved to get it right next time. Dave Kurzejewski said, "No question. They will get it right. They will review it more this time than what they did this last time."

Commissioner Coolidge added, "This experience, as with any reassessment, teaches you...And I think that's a positive. We're going to come out of this with education and a realization that we're all in this together."

And that "next time" may not come for a while. The Tioga County Commissioners say they are in no rush to jump into another reassessment.
 


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