Warren, PA - Warren County residents recently received notices as part of the first countywide property reassessment in more than 30 years. The update aims to bring property values in line with today’s market, but it’s left many residents with questions.

County officials say they understand why some people are confused. One major reason is how the information was presented. The last reassessment in 1989 used 50% of a property’s market value, while the current one uses 100%. That shift, along with unclear paperwork, led to what some officials described as “sticker shock.”
 
"We were given bits and pieces of information and it's confusing," stated county resident Kim Angove. "Only the property's face value was listed in the notices, we have no idea what the municipalities or school district is going to add to it - so it's difficult to determine what this will really mean for us."

“We are encouraging everyone to call and talk to us about their concerns," stated Commissioner Dan Glotz. "This is a work in progress, and we understand that the initial documents sent out to homeowners gave people a bit of a shock - but there are factors that were not included in that first notice, like millage rates, which will change those figures for residents."

The commissioners explained that reassessment was delayed for decades by previous administrations by raising millage rates instead. But over time, those rates hit their legal limits and were no longer enough to fund local services fairly.
 
“We couldn’t raise millage any further,” Commissioner Ken Klakamp said. “Reassessment was the only responsible way forward. It had gotten to the point that the county could have potentially been sued if it had not taken it upon themselves to do the reassessment."
 
Officials stressed that the numbers in the notices mailed to property owners are estimates and do not include current millage rates. That means the dollar amounts listed are not final tax bills. All figures are based on face value and could change depending on millage and the outcome of appeals now being submitted by the public.
 
“There will be updated notices and more accurate estimates once millage is applied and all appeals reviewed,” Commissioner Glotz added. "There are still a lot of factors at play."
 
To help residents navigate the changes, the county created an online FAQ page. Commissioners are also encouraging anyone with concerns to ask questions or file an appeal before the August 11th deadline.
 
They also said they hope to avoid waiting another 30 years for the next update.
 
“We’ve learned a lot during this process,” Glotz said. “With the technology we have now, our goal is to reassess every five years to keep values current and prevent this level of confusion in the future.”
 
For more information, including how to appeal and access the FAQ, visit the county’s website, here.