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County Council approves measure separating property-assessment appeals from assessment office
Summary
Allegheny County Council passed an order amending the administrative code to create an independent board of property assessment appeals and separate appeals administration from the Office of Property Assessment.
Allegheny County Council voted to amend the county administrative code to create a new, independent board of property-assessment appeals and to separate administration of assessment appeals from staff within the Office of Property Assessment.
Council proponents said the change is intended to improve objectivity and transparency in the assessment-appeals process. Opponents said the measure reduces executive accountability under the Home Rule Charter.
Council member Suzanne Filiaggi said the Committee on Assessment Practices had reviewed the proposal and recommended it for full-council consideration. “I would like to thank council and our staff for the work and their patience with this bill that really came into existence in October of last year,” Filiaggi said, calling it the “independence and transparency bill.”
Council member Walton expressed a sharp objection during debate. “I have to, strongly urge members of council not to pass this bill. It is, in my opinion, another effort to dismantle government,” Walton said, arguing that the change runs counter to the Home Rule Charter’s intent to hold the chief executive accountable for agency actions.
The order as read to the council would amend Allegheny County’s administrative code (articles 207 and 209) to create the board and assign responsibilities to the Office of Property Assessment consistent with that structural change.
On roll call, the measure passed with 12 votes in favor, 1 opposed and 1 abstention. The council did not include further administrative details in the reading; implementation steps and next administrative actions will follow through county staff and the new board’s rules once established.
Supporters said the change will create procedural separation between appeals administration and assessing staff; critics warned the shift could complicate accountability. The council’s vote establishes the legal change; subsequent implementation will determine operational specifics.
