Residents urge transparency on countywide reassessment; commissioners outline appeal process and relief options

Dozens of residents addressed the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on April 16 pressing for transparency and protections related to the county’s ongoing reassessment process, which participants said has produced large valuation increases and uncertainty for homeowners, seniors and small property owners.

Residents described receiving tentative reassessment notices and said they lack access to comparable valuations countywide before the informal appeal deadline. Suzanne Green of Benton Township told commissioners she had sampled properties in Thorn (Troop) and reported average increases that, when applied to a large industrial parcel, would produce an outsized assessed value. Sharon Soltisperano and others said other Pennsylvania counties provide preliminary valuation details publicly and urged Lackawanna County to do the same so taxpayers can file accurate appeals.

Commissioner Chris Chermak acknowledged residents’ fear and urged people to use the informal appeal process; he also said county staff are exploring additional safeguards for seniors and people on fixed incomes. Chermak noted the county had signed a narrow “Lackawanna County Reassessment Relief Initiative” earlier in the year and that other relief options—including real-estate tax exemptions, deferral programs and installment payment plans—exist in county tax procedures. He said county staff will investigate whether county taxes may be paid in installments in a manner similar to the city of Scranton and its school district and that he had asked staff to examine the feasibility of an installment option beginning in 2026.

Commissioner Bill Gahan said a reassessment was ordered by court action that required the county to update valuations after many years (he cited the lack of a reassessment since 1968) and described informal appeal and formal appeal procedures. He and other county officials noted Tyler Technologies is the vendor handling reassessment work and that final, public posting of all values is scheduled for next year after appeals and adjustments are resolved.

Other public comments at the meeting included requests from municipal and community representatives: Penn State Extension staff updated the board on Master Gardener and nutrition programs and encouraged residents to use extension resources; a library director asked residents to work with local libraries for help researching comparable values and assessed information. Several speakers also urged county officials to engage with state and hospital leaders after reports of hospital service reductions.

Why it matters: A countywide reassessment can materially change property tax liabilities for homeowners and businesses. Residents said sudden, large increases may force households—particularly seniors on fixed incomes—to struggle with higher taxes. County officials said formal processes exist for appeal and that staff are exploring additional protections.

What residents should know: County staff said tentative valuations were mailed to property owners and that property owners may pursue an informal appeal process before a final valuation is set. Officials said final, publicized values and tax estimates will be available next year after appeals are processed; residents who received tentative valuations were urged to follow the informal appeal process and gather documentation (photos, sales comparables) if they believe a valuation is incorrect.

Next steps: Commissioners said they will continue to pursue options for relief and will investigate installment payment options for county taxes, and they encouraged residents to contact the assessment office, Tyler Technologies’ support and county staff with questions. Several commissioners also said they will seek additional clarity by comparing other counties’ practices for posting preliminary valuation and tax estimates.