Give property owners one more chance
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In response to the Jan. 11 article, "Fitzgerald Urges That Assessment Appeals Be Allowed This Year," let's set aside all blame for how we got into this assessment mess and look at what's best for our county's property owners moving forward.
The way I see it, Allegheny County Executive Rich Fitzgerald has made an excellent proposal to County Council: a one-time-only change to the administrative code that would allow property owners another opportunity to appeal their 2013 assessment values.
The massive number of appeals has overwhelmed an assessment system that was not designed for this type of thing. My law firm, Steidl & Steinberg, has handled hundreds of appeals, but we know that many property owners have not yet had their "day in court," so to speak. With more time to handle these appeals, Allegheny Country stands a better chance of accurate assessments, which is the goal of the reassessment.
Let's give the property owners, as well as Allegheny County, a chance to get it right. County Council, it's now up to you to act on County Executive Fitzgerald's timely and prudent recommendation.
KENNY STEINBERG
Downtown
First Published January 18, 2013 12:00 am
