Lackawanna County officials address property assessment concerns in community meeting

The Lackawanna County Reassessment Meeting held on March 4, 2025, focused on property assessment processes and community concerns regarding accuracy in property evaluations. Residents raised questions about how factors like location and neighborhood conditions, including proximity to the local landfill, influence property assessments.

County officials explained that properties are categorized into neighborhoods smaller than municipalities, allowing for a more precise analysis of market trends. They emphasized that assessments are based on actual sales data from the open market, ensuring that property values reflect true market conditions. If sales indicate lower prices in certain neighborhoods, those factors are taken into account during reassessment.

Concerns were also voiced about the accuracy of property data submitted by residents. One participant highlighted discrepancies in their property assessment, such as incorrect information regarding the number of bathrooms and the classification of a garage. Officials reassured attendees that they review submitted data carefully and make changes when warranted. However, they acknowledged that residents often do not receive confirmation of their submissions, leading to uncertainty.

To address this issue, officials encouraged residents to contact their office to verify that their data mailers were received and processed. They also mentioned that residents would have the opportunity to review changes during informal hearings, where they could discuss their property assessments with a hearing officer.

The meeting underscored the importance of community engagement in the reassessment process and the county's commitment to ensuring accurate property evaluations. As the reassessment progresses, officials aim to improve communication with residents to enhance transparency and trust in the assessment process.