Tyler Technologies outlines Lackawanna County's upcoming property reassessment plan

The Lackawanna County reassessment meeting held on March 10, 2025, focused on the upcoming countywide property reassessment, the first since 1968. The meeting was led by Samantha Edwards, a project manager from Tyler Technologies, who emphasized the importance of community engagement in the reassessment process.

Edwards explained that the reassessment is necessary due to significant changes in the real estate market over the past 58 years. The new base year for property assessments will be 2026, which aims to ensure that property values reflect current market conditions. This reassessment is intended to restore equity among property owners, as many have been paying taxes based on outdated valuations.

Tatum Kretz, a colleague of Edwards, elaborated on the reassessment process, noting that Tyler Technologies is a leading firm in property appraisal services, having assessed millions of properties across the United States. He addressed common concerns regarding reassessments, including fears of increased taxes and government spending. Kretz clarified that, under Pennsylvania law, the total tax revenue must remain neutral post-reassessment, meaning that while property values may change, the overall tax burden will be distributed more fairly among residents.

The meeting also highlighted that approximately one-third of properties may see an increase in assessed value, one-third will remain the same, and one-third may decrease. This distribution aims to ensure that the majority of residents will either see stable or reduced tax bills following the reassessment.

Overall, the meeting served to inform the community about the reassessment process, alleviate concerns, and emphasize the goal of achieving fair property taxation based on accurate market values. The next steps will involve continued communication with residents as the reassessment progresses.