Warren, PA - Warren County Commissioners are providing residents with an update on the county’s first property reassessment since 1989.

Conducted by Vision Government Solutions, one of the few certified firms in Pennsylvania, the process has stirred debate, showing how challenging it can be up update property values after more than 30 years.  

After receiving concerns from the community, the commissioners had a ratio study conducted by third-party assessment expert Alan Dornfest, who confirmed that the reassessment data meets professional standards set by the International Association of Assessing Officers.
 
The ratio study examined sales for 720 properties across 38 neighborhoods, including residential, commercial, and other types of properties. Along with updating property values, the county plans to recalculate millage rates based on the new assessments.
 
While commissioners maintain that the reassessment process is accurate, many homeowners have expressed disagreement with their new values and are appealing their assessments.
 
The volume of appeals has led the Warren County Courthouse to convert offices and hallways into temporary hearing rooms to accommodate hearings. Officials note that anyone who did not file a formal appeal request before the deadline will need to wait until next year to challenge their property value.
 
Commissioner Tricia Durbin emphasized the professionalism of the reassessment process and the third-party study but acknowledged that concerns from residents are being taken seriously. 
 
"We hired a consultant named Alan Dornfest to look at the market values and property sales versus the reassessed property values," Durbin Explained. "Using the common level ratio, a formula created by the PA State Equalization Board that determines if recent property sales are in line with market values, Dornfest found that everything was done exactly as it should have been." 
 
The commissioners are encouraging residents who are confused, upset, or concerned about their property values to reach out or attend public meetings.

The next Warren County Commissioners’ meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, September 17th, from noon until 1:00PM in the Jackson Courtroom at the Warren County Courthouse, along 4th Avenue in Warren.