What the Lower Burrell tax increase means for property owners
The median household in Lower Burrell will see its taxes go up about $27 a year after Monday's decision to raise the tax rate by 1.5 mills.
According to Westmoreland County Deputy Chief Assessor Beth Stabile, the median assessed value for homes in Lower Burrell is $18,210.
If that seems like a lot less than houses are generally worth in Lower Burrell, that's because it is.
“We haven't had a reassessment in Westmoreland County since 1972,” Stabile said. “There are other counties that are behind, too, and obviously reassessments are very costly.
“No one has wanted to pull the trigger on reassessment.”
The state tries to mitigate the disparity between the market value of a home and its assessed value by establishing a formula to determine current assessed value. That's the figure used to determine taxes on the property.
A house's market value is multiplied this year by 16.2 percent to determine its assessed value, Stabile said.
For example, a home that would sell for $100,000 would be assessed at $16,200. The tax rates is then applied to that.
Monday's tax increase of 1.5 mills will mean that half of properties will see their tax bill go up less than $27.
Lower Burrell resident Rhiana Allen said while no tax increase is ever welcomed, if it helps keep the police department with a roof over its head, this increase is worth it.
“I think in the big picture, $27 a year isn't going to really make or break anybody,” she said. “And if it is to make necessary improvements for the police department, then it's a small price to pay for those who protect the city.”
Frank Trozzi, council's finance chairman, said Monday the 1.5-mill increase, from 21.25 to 22.75 mills, is basically because of the planned upgrade of city facilities at the Schreiber Street municipal complex.
Trozzi said the renovation project is badly needed for the building, which was constructed in the early 1960s.
Matthew Medsger is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at 724-226-4675, mmedsger@tribweb.com or via Twitter @matthew_medsger. Tom Yerace contributed to this report.
