Washington County Told to Reassess

Washington County President Judge Debbie O’Dell has ordered Washington County to launch a countywide property reassessment. The ruling comes out of a suit filed by two school districts claiming the 1985 base year had become too inaccurate to be used. The judge gave the County Commissioners 10 months begin the work. County Board of Commissioners Chair Larry Maggi says the board is considering appeal options. He says the reassessment would cost millions of dollars and could become moot if the state passes new property tax legislation or if a court case involving Allegheny County’s use of a base year assessment results in all base year systems being deemed unconstitutional. The judge did say in her order that if the legislature acts before the ten months elapse the county would not have to launch the reassessment.