Council refers assessment-appeal staffing bills back to committee after public concerns about independence

Allegheny County Council on Jan. 14, 2025 referred two bills on staffing of the county's assessment appeals process back to the Committee on Assessment Practices for additional review.

The move followed public comment by former county solicitor and longtime assessor staffer John Silvestri, who said the Board of Assessment Appeals had become subject to political influence and currently had "only 1 official employee," which he and others said created confusion for residents seeking appeals. "If the board of assessment has its own employees, has its own control over how it does business, I think it's going to be a true public service," Silvestri said.

Council member Filiazzi, speaking during the committee report, said the bills' goal is to make the appeals board "more independent" from the Office of Property Assessments and to address how staff are assigned to the board. Filiazzi told council that altering the way staff are assigned "will allow the board to function as an impartial quasi-judicial body, free from even perceived or unconscious influence" by employees who also set assessed values.

Council President Catena asked that the two bills, numbered 13276-24 and 13277-24, be returned to the Assessment Practices Committee to allow further discussion and refinement; the motion to refer the bills back was announced on the record and the items were sent to committee.

Why it matters: Assessment appeal outcomes affect county tax revenues and property owners' bills; council members and the public told the committee and council they want clearer procedures and staffing that avoid conflicts or the appearance of conflict.

What happened in the meeting: John Silvestri, who described more than four decades of experience in the county court and assessment offices, said county-run web materials had given incorrect guidance to residents about who could file appeals and that he had obtained a court order in a recent case. Filiazzi and committee members said the appeals board currently relies on Office of Property Assessment staff during appeals because the board has minimal staff, and they concluded that staffing changes could reduce perceived conflicts and improve efficiency.

Next steps: The bills will return to the Committee on Assessment Practices for additional drafting and consultation with administration staff, according to Filiazzi's remarks on the floor.