Councilman Rips ‘Outlandish’ Property Values

Bridgeville and Heidelberg property owners are the big losers , while the average home owner in Scott and Collier townships likely will see cuts to their schools taxes.

Nicholas Morelli, the school district’s business director, released the figures to Chartiers Valley Patch in order to give home owners a glimpse into how their property taxes will be affected.

The average property in the increased by 35 percent, meaning anyone below that level will probably see their school taxes reduced. In comparison, .

• The biggest increase in the Chartiers Valley area was felt in Bridgeville, with all properties increasing by 42 percent and homes rising by 39 percent.

• Heidelberg was next with all properties increasing by 35 percent and homes rising by 38 percent.

• Scott Township was a mixed bag with all properties increasing by 33 percent, but home prices rising just 28 percent.

• All of Collier’s properties rose by 35 percent while homes increased by just 25 percent.

The law will require all school districts and municipalities in Allegheny County to adjust their tax rates to remain revenue neutral. Still, the discrepancies between neighborhoods has at least one county official questioning the company hired to conduct the assessments.

“They didn’t do it right,” said county Councilman Mike Finnerty, who represents parts of the South Hills.

Finntery called Tyler Technologies and its subsidiary, Cole Layer Trumble, “incompetent” for the assessment that doesn’t seem to have any consistency between neighborhoods and communities.

“I have absolutely no confidence in Tyler Technologies right now,” Finnerty said. “Some of the mistakes are outlandish and I don’t know how anyone halfway competent could make (these) judgments.”

The county is spending an estimated $11 million on the reassessment and Finnerty thinks they should withhold any payments from the company until they “rectify the situation.” He said there has been some discussion by council members, but the decision on payments ultimately will be made by Chief Executive Rich Fitzgerald.

Finnerty acknowledged that it’s difficult to judge property values, but he said it should be done as fairly as possible. He understands why property owners are angry about the process and the new numbers.

“When it doesn’t look fair, it aggregates people, and it aggravates me,” he said. “Everyone should pay their fair share and it doesn’t look that way to me.”

Increases By Municipality

Bridgeville – 42 percent  (Homes increased 42 percent)

Collier Township – 35 percent  (Homes increased 25 percent)

Heidelberg – 35 percent  (Homes increased 38 percent)

Scott Township – 33 percent  (Homes increased 28 percent)

South Fayette - 34 percent

Upper St. Clair – 22 percent

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