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Loss wipes out $25 million gain last year. Change will cost county $130,100.
Luzerne County’s tax base grew about $25 million from 2009 to 2010, but that gain was wiped out this year, according to an annual taxable property certification prepared each November by the county assessor’s office.
The total of all taxable property was $19.855 billion in November 2010, compared to $19.83 billion this month – a decrease of $24.9 million.
The reduction amounts to a loss of about $130,100 in county tax revenue based on the current millage rate.
The value of taxable property increased in 33 municipalities, but that growth was not enough to offset losses in 43 municipalities, county officials said.
County Commissioner Chairwoman Maryanne Petrilla said reductions primarily stem from assessment appeals and mediations, and that new construction has slowed.
“I think everyone in the entire nation is seeing the effects of the economy. I think it’s just a national issue we’re all dealing with,” Petrilla said.
What growth that is taking place is in more suburban areas, she noted.
All four cities in the county experienced assessment loss: Hazleton, $8.4 million; Wilkes-Barre, $7.9 million; Nanticoke, $1.5 million; and Pittston, $1.2 million.
Jenkins Township experienced the highest growth – 4.2 percent, or $15.8 million.
Township Supervisor Stanley Rovinski said the 15-square-mile municipality has been attracting new residential development at Wyndtree Estates and the Willow View Development.
Yatesville was the second highest in growth – 2 percent, or $1 million.
The following municipalities had assessment growth of at least 1 percent: Dorrance, Pittston and Rice townships, Bear Creek Village and Duryea.
Laurel Run had the highest percentage decrease – 2.5 percent, or a loss of $682,700.
It was followed by Wright Township, with a 2.4 percent loss equating to $14.3 million.
The other municipalities with reductions of 1 percent or more: Ashley, Dupont, Exeter, Hughestown, Jeddo, Plymouth, Harveys Lake and Fairmount and Salem townships.
Only three municipalities have total assessments over $1 billion – Wilkes-Barre, $1.4 billion; Hazle Township, $1.3 billion; and Hazleton, $1 billion.
Hazle Township’s assessment grew 0.5 percent in the last year, and township officials have predicted that it will surpass Wilkes-Barre’s total in coming years because it still has an abundance of vacant land for new development. The township is home to large industrial parks.
To see assessment totals by municipality, visit www.times
leader.com