Residents and elected officials press county on reassessment transparency and appeals process

Multiple residents and elected officials pressed Lackawanna County commissioners on the ongoing property reassessment during the March 19 public comment period, raising concerns about transparency, access to assessment data and protections for seniors on fixed incomes.

Sharon Soltisperano, a resident who identified herself during public comment, said the reassessment process as implemented is “not fair, equitable, and transparent.” She told commissioners the public would receive only individual letters from the assessor and would not be able to view countywide reassessment values online or in person. “We are not given the information as fair, equitable, and transparent to file proper appeals,” Soltisperano said, adding that she had checked with other counties that had completed recent reassessments.

Commissioner Bill Gahan, who oversees the county’s reassessment process, responded that Assessor Patrick Tobin and Tyler Technologies have held public meetings across the county and that materials about the reassessment process are posted on the county website. "Pat Tobin has done a phenomenal, phenomenal job... and has answered every question," Gahan said, listing public meetings in Riverside, North Pocono, Abington Heights, Carbondale, Mid Valley, Scranton, Lakeland and Dunmore.

Commissioner Chris Chermack and Commissioner Trimac each commented in the meeting. Commissioner Trimac reiterated opposition to the current phase of the reassessment and emphasized the need for protections for elderly and fixed-income residents before moving forward. "Before we even consider moving forward, those protections must be put in place," Trimac said, calling for alternatives to property tax reliance.

Speakers also linked the reassessment discussion to broader fiscal concerns including the county’s recent PFM report and budget choices. One member of the public asked that reassessment rollout include accessible comparative data so taxpayers can prepare appeals; another asked for clarity on how Tyler Technologies will publish values and data to enable timely appeals before the August 1 appeal deadline discussed at public meetings.

County officials said they will continue public outreach and noted a scheduled public presentation of the 2023 audit on March 28. Assessor Patrick Tobin was specifically named in public comments and by the chair as the county official handling reassessment questions; Soltisperano requested his resignation if the county does not provide broader access to reassessment data.

The comments highlight two issues commissioners said they will continue to address: (1) ensuring county outreach and public information are available for the appeals period; and (2) evaluating safeguards for vulnerable homeowners if reassessment leads to higher tax bills.