Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Bills topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council introduces 'Tax Bill Disclosure Bill of Rights' ordinance; treasurer urges changes to bills
Summary
Allegheny County Council introduced an ordinance to add a 'tax bill disclosure bill of rights' to the county administrative code and referred it to the committee on assessment practices. Allegheny County Treasurer Erica Rokey Brusler told council she supports key provisions and offered to collaborate.
Allegheny County Council introduced an ordinance, numbered 13433-25, that would amend the county administrative code (Article 808) to create a new section described in the ordinance as a "tax bill disclosure bill of rights." Sponsors listed at the reading included Council members Catena, Nacaradichakas (as spoken in the record), Chapkis, Paul Messina and Filiaghi. The ordinance was referred to the committee on assessment practices for review.
The ordinance text, read into the record, directs best practices for information included on county real estate tax bills. It mentions items such as including clear disclosures on tax bills, setting a mailing deadline and specifying the payee format for tax checks.
Allegheny County Treasurer Erica Rokey Brusler addressed council during public comment and expressed support for the ordinance and several specific provisions. In the meeting she said, "I fully support the shift in face value date in future years from April 30 to May 31." She also endorsed a rule that tax checks be made payable to the county rather than to an individual and urged a statutory deadline for when bills will be mailed. Rokey Brusler offered the treasurer's office as a collaborator with council and committee staff to implement changes and to address taxpayer confusion from past bill redesigns.
Council action at the meeting was referral to the assessment practices committee; no committee deliberations or votes took place at the public meeting. Advocates, staff or county offices may now work with the committee on technical changes and implementation timelines.
Why it matters
Tax bill formatting affects all property taxpayers in the county: how exemptions are displayed, the date when a bill is due, and whether payments are accepted without extra administrative steps. The treasurer cautioned the council that a prior redesign had caused confusion among taxpayers and said the treasurer's office would collaborate to reduce taxpayer cost and improve clarity.
Next steps
The ordinance was sent to the committee on assessment practices for review and possible amendment before any future public vote. The treasurer requested collaboration with the ordinance sponsors and the committee.
