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Officials flag treasurer’s‑deed title issues, plan meetings with assessor and tax‑claim staff
Summary
Directors at the June 10 meeting raised longstanding treasurer’s‑deed cases in the city where properties appearing on treasurer’s‑deed records are occupied without clear tax collection; officials agreed to schedule follow‑up with the assessor and tax‑claim offices to seek resolutions.
Directors told the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on June 10 that a set of treasurer’s‑deed or related title matters in the city has left properties in a status that appears to result in unpaid taxes for occupied parcels.
A director described finding occupied properties in a deed status that has allowed occupants not to pay taxes and said that outcome is unfair to other taxpayers. The director called for coordination between the land bank, assessor’s office and the tax‑claim bureau to identify and resolve those titles.
The director of the assessment office (name not given) said the issue was brought to their attention on their first day in the position and characterized it as a long‑standing problem stretching back to about 2014–2016 that has left properties in limbo. Officials agreed to schedule meetings with the assessor and tax‑claim staff to pursue remedies and report back.
Commissioners did not take formal action at the meeting beyond agreeing to pursue interagency coordination. The board’s next meeting is set for July 8 at 11:00 a.m., where staff follow‑up may be reported.
