Fitzgerald, Futules to Talk Assessments on Thursday

Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald and County Council Vice President Nick Futules will host a town hall meeting to assist homeowners with the 2013 court-ordered reassessment tonight, March 15.

All county residents are invited to the Linton Middle School Auditorium from 7 to 9 p.m. Linton Middle School is located at 260 Aster St. in Penn Hills.

Fitzgerald and Futules will discuss the issue, and residents will be able to share their own thoughts, as well.

Verona Council encouraged residents to attend the information session at its meeting on Tuesday.

Futules lives in Oakmont and represents District 7, which includes Plum, Oakmont, Verona, Penn Hills, Cheswick, Harmar, Springdale Borough and Wilkins.

County staff members will be on hand to assist property owners with filling out various forms. Legal and real estate professionals also will be present to provide free one-on-one advice and assistance.

The town hall meeting itself will include a presentation that explains the county's reassessment process, how to file and prepare for informal reviews and formal appeals, and other options for reducing assessed values. There will also be a Q&A period.

No registration is required to attend the meeting, and the session is free and open to all.

The average increases in property values for the 2013 court-ordered reassessment for all municipalities, school districts and the county as a whole can be found on the county website to assist property owners in approximating their 2013 taxes.

Visit www.alleghenycounty.us and click on the "Property Assessment Information" link. Then, click on the relevant box on the page that opens from there.

If a property owner's 2013 court-ordered reassessment value is lower than the average of his or her municipality, school district or the county, he or she should see a reduction in the corresponding municipal, school district or county property tax in 2013.

If a property's owner's 2013 court-ordered reassessment value is higher than the average of his or her municipality, school district or the county, he or she may see an increase in the corresponding municipal, school district or county property tax in 2013.

The average increases are 24 percent for and the ; 35 percent for ; 31 percent for the ; and 14 percent for . Allegheny County's average increase is 35 percent.

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