School asks for property reassessment in Washington County
WASHINGTON – The McGuffy School District is asking Washington County to consider a countywide property reassessment, saying values have gone up, but taxes have not. The school board members first went to the county commissioners in June to make the request. The Washington School District also has asked the county to look into the matter.
The county’s chief assessor, Robert Neil, has looked into the matter and has recommended that the county do nothing at this time.
“There are inequities in the assessment since it was done 25 years ago, but there is an appeal process. Reassessment would cost the county $8 million,” Neil said. “We need to see what Harrisburg’s going to do before we go any further.”
McGuffy School Board President Dr. Joyce Knestrick said the district can’t wait for property tax reform to rectify the situation.
“I’ve looked back in the Pennsylvania state records for 20 years. They’ve been talking about property tax relief and reform. I don’t think we’re going to see any substantial relief any time soon,” Knestrick said.
Knestrick said the taxpayers would not necessarily be hit with higher tax bills because of a reassessment, since taxes would most likely go up on some of the commercial development and coal reserves. She said the appeal process would not help the situation.
“When was the last time someone appealed to have their taxes higher?” Knestrick asked.
Neil pointed out that the school district has the right to appeal any property assessment, including that of the coal reserves.
“You’ve done that in the past against CONSOL Coal. You could do that again. There are some bills out there that could give us some relief in two or three years, if not by abolishment, then by shifting to a sales and income tax,” Neil said. “This is an antiquated way to finance government.”
Knestrick said the property tax is one way the districts maintain local control over the educational process, as has been established by state law.
“If property taxes are eliminated, how will we have local control over school districts?” Knestrick said.
Knestrick said Act 1, the current legislation aimed at property tax reform, will also hinder the ability of school districts to conduct business and could lead to their financial collapse.
“Act 1 does nothing to increase the funding for educational programs. It just shifts where the taxes come from,” Knestrick said.