A_tax_assess

Article as it appeared in the Reading Eagle, Aug. 3, 2005.

People who buy newly built houses pay an unfair portion of the tax burden, a group advocating reassessment says.

Carla M. Kishbaugh moved to Berks County only four weeks ago, and already she's spent two weeks campaigning for a countywide property reassessment.

She has called the county commissioners' office countless times and distributed fliers for a new Amity Township taxpayers group advocating the reassessment.

The group's first meeting, held Tuesday at the Hill Road Recreation Area, drew more than 100 people.

Like many Amity residents, Kishbaugh said her taxes are extremely high $8,750 a year, all told because she bought a newly built home.

Kishbaugh's home, in the Rosecliff Pointe development, is assessed at $280,764.

She said similar homes in older developments are still being taxed at their original assessment, so the owners pay half the taxes she does.

Kishbaugh said a reassessment is the only way to even the tax burden.

The last countywide reassessment, done in 1992, was implemented in 1994.

The county commissioners announced Thursday that they will begin work on a countywide reassessment in 2006.

"It needs to be done," Commissioner Judith Schwank said in an interview Tuesday. The process will take several years and will involve the reassessment of several hundred thousand homes, she said.

But Kishbaugh and others said reassessment can't come soon enough for owners of new homes.

Kathryn H. Marne, who also lives in Rosecliff Pointe, said commissioners have told her the assessment won't take effect until 2009.

"We are shouldering the tax burden for the county," Marne said. "This is unfair."

Residents of the Rosecliff Pointe, Pleasant Meadows, Sunset Knoll and Indian Run developments, among others, attended the meeting.

Jennifer L. Korn, also of Rosecliff Pointe, called reassessment a political hot potato because it will raise taxes for many longtime residents and voters especially senior citizens. Korn commended the commissioners for moving forward with the plan.

"It shouldn't be a political battle," Korn said. "I'm worried about the seniors, too. I have a mom."

Schwank also expressed concern that the reassessment will hit seniors hard.

"While it creates equity for some people, for others, particularly people on fixed incomes, it's going to create a hardship because they are going to see an increase in their tax bills," she said. "It helps some people and hurts others."

She said meaningful tax-reform legislation from the Legislature is the only permanent solution to the problem.

Some residents at Tuesday's meeting echoed her sentiments.

Other concerns discussed at the meeting were rising school taxes, property taxes versus a sales tax to fund education, and continued development in the township and throughout the county.

"I don't want to put the seniors in an unfair position," Marne said. "They do live on a fixed income. But we, as new homeowners, aren't able to save for our children's education, for our 401K for our retirement."

Contact reporter Phoebe Sweet at 610-371-5014 or psweet@readingeagle.com.



	Owners of new homes feel tax bite Article as it appeared in the Reading Eagle, Aug. 3, 2005. People who buy newly built houses pay an unfair portion of the tax burden, a group advocating reassessment says. By Phoebe Sweet Reading Eagle Carla M. Kishbaugh moved to Berks County only four weeks ago, and already she's spent two weeks campaigning for a countywide property reassessment. She has called the county commissioners' office countless times and distributed fliers for a new Amity Township taxpayers group advocating the reassessment. The group's first meeting, held Tuesday at the Hill Road Recreation Area, drew more than 100 people. Like many Amity residents, Kishbaugh said her taxes are extremely high $8,750 a year, all told because she bought a newly built home. Kishbaugh's home, in the Rosecliff Pointe development, is assessed at $280,764. She said similar homes in older developments are still being taxed at their original assessment, so the owners pay half the taxes she does. Kishbaugh said a reassessment is the only way to even the tax burden. The last countywide reassessment, done in 1992, was implemented in 1994. The county commissioners announced Thursday that they will begin work on a countywide reassessment in 2006. "It needs to be done," Commissioner Judith Schwank said in an interview Tuesday. The process will take several years and will involve the reassessment of several hundred thousand homes, she said. But Kishbaugh and others said reassessment can't come soon enough for owners of new homes. Kathryn H. Marne, who also lives in Rosecliff Pointe, said commissioners have told her the assessment won't take effect until 2009. "We are shouldering the tax burden for the county," Marne said. "This is unfair." Residents of the Rosecliff Pointe, Pleasant Meadows, Sunset Knoll and Indian Run developments, among others, attended the meeting. Jennifer L. Korn, also of Rosecliff Pointe, called reassessment a political hot potato because it will raise taxes for many longtime residents and voters especially senior citizens. Korn commended the commissioners for moving forward with the plan. "It shouldn't be a political battle," Korn said. "I'm worried about the seniors, too. I have a mom." Schwank also expressed concern that the reassessment will hit seniors hard. "While it creates equity for some people, for others, particularly people on fixed incomes, it's going to create a hardship because they are going to see an increase in their tax bills," she said. "It helps some people and hurts others." She said meaningful tax-reform legislation from the Legislature is the only permanent solution to the problem. Some residents at Tuesday's meeting echoed her sentiments. Other concerns discussed at the meeting were rising school taxes, property taxes versus a sales tax to fund education, and continued development in the township and throughout the county. "I don't want to put the seniors in an unfair position," Marne said. "They do live on a fixed income. But we, as new homeowners, aren't able to save for our children's education, for our 401K for our retirement." Contact reporter Phoebe Sweet at 610-371-5014 or psweet@readingeagle.com.