[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6701941,"mediaKeyId","5374419-04c7abe8b0bf544d80e18ce7e0c09f8b","parentId",5374419,"title","Residents raise questions about Tyler Technologies reassessment process and appeals; county officials outline hearings and timing","audioSeconds",247,"startMs",1995000,"endMs",2242000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374419-04c7abe8b0bf544d80e18ce7e0c09f8b&start=1995&end=2242","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374419-04c7abe8b0bf544d80e18ce7e0c09f8b/thumbnail_1995000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6701941/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Residents-raise-questions-about-Tyler-Technologies-reassessment-process-and-appeals-county-officials-outline-hearings-and-timing","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701941-a0283cd335db1017ef9fd6bfef29dc8d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171571&Signature=DTh1ZoW6xhFsjXSfo1wlftMMbIi5LNFZat2D6L9ATT2CxUV0g-qU5OoqqaaR2IM6Ni~mBdZBXgQoOFRfocSb8OopuVCEOKcePTRcOLaQ~0G5EQ2-QXmLbpJlAM1KPeBrVeR6WQ2H2NS5gXb2hZ-CVFsoYvQUE6ANZ8N2JVx5T-spqnUdUsl~W6lzVrB2tUFbqqFgoViA1MrRTLJCXVwPMyeHiWsjOKS2SaMOJtRJxwgTD1lRZQxLoQhJNgj6aVrfzvnlm3tuY94HAHt3tzo-AQ2fIyw6REguZDbcY0KV1-RAd3hL8E0aIU4R-Jwu5PPty74KDT3nOfamJZNdsfcFCQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Lackawanna County, PA","date","2025-07-11T12:53:09.953Z","article","Multiple residents used the July 2 public-comment period to raise questions about the county’s property reassessment, how values were calculated by Tyler Technologies and how reassessed values will show up on future tax bills.

Resident Rose Nick asked whether recent appointments (listed on the meeting agenda) carried salaries and then shifted to questions about the reassessment. In response, county officials said board-appointed assessor hearings will review values and that volunteer boards will have certified members present for hearings.

Residents asked specifically whether Tyler Technologies employed certified appraisers during the reassessment and whether vacant land had comparable sales. An attorney who previously appeared at a town-hall meeting, Patrick Lavelle, was referenced by commenters as having said Tyler had no certified appraisers on staff and that comparables for vacant land were limited. County staff said vacant-land comparables can be a problem when sales are scarce and that the appeals (assessor’s hearings) are the venue for individual property owners to challenge values.

County staff explained the reassessment uses fair-market values drawn from sales in a defined period (described in the meeting as Jan. 1, 2022 through June 30, 2024). Officials said the reassessment becomes the county’s base-year assessed value and that common level ratio (CLR) calculations done by the state will not alter the base-year values; a new CLR would be applied in future years beginning July 1, 2026. County staff reiterated that the new assessed (fair-market) values will take effect Jan. 1, 2026, and that millage rates (school, municipal, county) will be set after total assessed value is finalized following the hearing process.

On practical details, residents raised concerns about appointment scheduling for assessor hearings and what happens if a property owner has unavoidable conflicts (vacation, medical procedures). County staff said the assessor’s office would work to accommodate such circumstances.

The board’s public record shows residents received guidance to apply for hearings and to work with the assessor’s office and Pat Tobin (named in the meeting as a contact) to arrange hearing times. Several speakers urged transparency and education to help residents understand how reassessment, CLR and millage calculations interact.

What was not specified on the record
The meeting transcript records questions about certified appraisers and vacant-land comparables but does not supply documentation or a county-contracted roster confirming which Tyler Technologies staff members were certified appraisers. Specific counts of vacant-land transactions used as comparables were not stated in the record and remain not specified in the meeting transcript.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Lackawanna County Commissioners 7 2 25","oneSentenceSummary","During public comment at the July 2 commissioners meeting, residents asked about whether Tyler Technologies used certified appraisers, how vacant land comparables were handled and how new assessed/market values will affect tax bills; county staff described the appeals process and said new values take effect Jan. 1, 2026.","taxTitle","Lackawanna County, Pennsylvania","taxId",2940,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6701947,"Commissioners approve HRG broadband assessment to map unserved and underserved areas",134,1274000,1408000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374419-04c7abe8b0bf544d80e18ce7e0c09f8b&start=1274&end=1408","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374419-04c7abe8b0bf544d80e18ce7e0c09f8b/thumbnail_1274000.jpg","/articles/6701947/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Commissioners-approve-HRG-broadband-assessment-to-map-unserved-and-underserved-areas","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701947-6ba34b441338bc646dedd28569229eb1/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171571&Signature=pAdXSs06lwXMNReSsPkz7ePRcAOvTR19F5q~UOluhWtqlk8KPAAAle5eQsimMR5xN7GJ0AZ3XSd3lbblTXD-jKU5QJ8~-cRz2~V76yDpDnaFSzNSmEhIeDAsji63MqVrNhyi5qsx-gDFrOWkYVomrNexcsIdNSF946AL-tdF4VS2JG51cpotNMtvjem6UaV8bvLwFFj8UaHH-cuBlv8cgyFoX9Jvb3mjYZHPF81LftElEnqp2FMFShzwXn3b-eA~BRBCbBtIDpPLVQi~cRqwEzSkz~VVmoOIoAUuWbzqjt3~qpJV2DU43ue~NgpUD3SnyCyfR9UonV-kHM0A3jCh~A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on July 2 approved a broadband assessment plan to be performed by engineering firm HRG, a step county officials said is intended to identify gaps in wired and wireless Internet access and position the county for state and federal broadband funding.

Chief Financial Officer Dave Bozzoni told commissioners the retention aligns with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s interest in expanding broadband and that the county’s existing wireless (microwave/line-of-sight) network provides a foundation for further work. Mike Brown, chief information officer, described the county’s wireless system — in place since 2013 — as already saving the county roughly $400,000 annually by linking public-safety and county offices and said the assessment will target areas with less than 25 megabits per second download (commonly categorized as underserved) and areas with no service.

Brown said the county’s approach aims to create connection points other Internet service providers can use, help first responders reach 911 at no cost via the county network, and support telemedicine and library access for senior residents. Commissioners discussed the possibility of forming an authority to govern an open-network design and to facilitate broadband buildout by private providers; Brown said the authority concept would create a governance structure that allows county infrastructure to be used by businesses and ISPs to reach residents.

The contract cost was discussed in public comments and by commissioners; a later public exchange identified the HRG contract as $156,300 over two years and indicated that amount is budgeted in the current year. The board approved Resolution 25-0161 to accept the HRG assessment product pending solicitor review of the agreement.

Commissioners framed the assessment as both an economic-development and equity initiative intended to help residents and businesses across downtown Scranton, boroughs such as Blakely and rural townships.

Action and next steps
The resolution approved the assessment plan pending county-solicitor review of the HRG agreement. County staff said the assessment will produce a countywide map of service levels, identify strategic connection points for ISPs, and create an inventory that can be submitted to state funding programs such as BEAD. Procurement, final contract execution and the assessment timeline will follow solicitor review and usual contracting procedures.","The board approved a two-year broadband assessment to identify unserved and underserved areas and to align county assets with state BEAD opportunities; the contract was described as budgeted at $156,300 and will be reviewed by the county solicitor before execution.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6701951,"Lackawanna County commissioners approve payables, grants, contracts and appointments in voice votes",633,659000,1292000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374419-04c7abe8b0bf544d80e18ce7e0c09f8b&start=659&end=1292","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374419-04c7abe8b0bf544d80e18ce7e0c09f8b/thumbnail_659000.jpg","/articles/6701951/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Lackawanna-County-commissioners-approve-payables-grants-contracts-and-appointments-in-voice-votes","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701951-5d68832ec5ed51a5749817d7d51a2498/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171571&Signature=A91Ig6RA6txBo8UslUUc~Hu9Wuf61yrUDXuJ-sLpkqu8VzpLgLAueH6QPP1XJaJU3KTnTzi8hoOBipzTyMn3oNdGa40U3bqiLRhZ6kVMScTwrB6ebz-zg66AnuYaRNE-mQXb9tbn3aqVlyzaF1HW7TVeyYNba5IQwjTr24oD7VLjBGRhcb~r7x-xT8kVsAIOgFKVHbv8j8UH8YGzT6wxk~PBpgvO-ToXB3QSTk~9qF2vzCr9dCqVuAocV8WkNSI3cE00f7DQUieUhD6EOo5um8BIXqPuWVxaV~J8h2tH2uchKrYZjkrZfbxEDWumr11wOrKkcevYQ8ASIsTwxSryTA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners on July 2 approved a series of resolutions covering county payables, municipal grants, contract extensions, equipment financing and multiple appointments.

The board voted by voice on each measure; the record in the meeting transcript shows “ayes have it” or similar voice-vote language for every item. Presenters and department heads briefly described each action before the board moved and seconded the motions.

The most immediately quantified item was the approval of current payables under Resolution 25-0166, which the clerk read as covering general-fund checks 387802–388282 totaling $2,941,142.11 and electronic funds transfers, including payroll, totaling $7,363,652.86. The board approved the payables by voice vote.

The board also awarded the Municipal Electronic Recycling Collection Event Grant (Resolution 25-0158) to several municipalities — Archbald, Clarks Summit, Mayfield, Moscow, Roaring Brook, Scott Township and Scranton — authorizing reimbursements up to $1,000 per participating municipality. Nicole Shapiro, director of recycling, told commissioners the grant boosted county electronics recycling tonnage from single digits in 2021 to as much as 53 tons in 2022 and about 30 tons in recent years. The resolution passed by voice vote.

Resolution 25-0159 ratified Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program modifications for federal fiscal year 2020 submitted to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. Director of Economic Development Kristen Magnotta said the changes include reallocating funds for Dixon City’s Crystal Park ADA walkway and creating a new Bernard Simitsky ADA Accessibility Park activity with a combined allocation of $78,907.80; Dunmore Borough’s modification redirects $1,000 to housing rehabilitation. Magnotta said the projects are due Sept. 9, 2025, and that CDBG projects are no cost to the county. The resolution passed by voice vote.

Under Resolution 25-0165, the board authorized deaccessioning several heavily deteriorated trolley-related items from the Electric City Trolley Museum collection so the pieces can be scrapped; Steamtown will facilitate disposal and split scrap proceeds with the county. County solicitor Don Fredericksen explained the items have been scavenged and are now scrap metal; the board approved the deaccession by voice vote.

Human resources director Joanne Decker presented Resolution 25-0167 ratifying a memorandum of understanding to extend prescription benefits management services with Rx Benefits, Inc., for a 12‑month term beginning Jan. 1, 2026. Decker said early renewal yields a $39,000 invoice credit and projected higher rebate rates that she said will produce $1,100,000 in savings in 2026. The board approved the ratification by voice vote.

Resolution 25-0145 authorized execution of a lease-purchase agreement to finance equipment with expected lease obligations not to exceed $3.8 million. CFO Dave Bozzoni said the total equipment acquisition cost is $4,842,339.24, with $1,064,992.40 previously allocated from ARPA funds; the county budgeted prorated 2025 lease payment of $329,288.93. Commissioners approved the financing by voice vote.

The board also extended the county prison’s food-service agreement for one year via Resolution 25-0160, approving a fourth amendment to the management agreement with Aramark Correctional Services LLC from Sept. 1, 2025, through Aug. 31, 2026. Bozzoni said the extension keeps current unit costs in line with peer counties and noted projected costs remain within the 2025 budget; the resolution passed by voice vote.

Resolution 25-0161 authorized entering an agreement with HRG to perform a broadband assessment plan pending solicitor review; the broadband item was discussed separately at greater length (see separate article). The board approved the assessment plan by voice vote.

The commissioners also approved a set of appointments by resolution: appointments and reappointments to the Lackawanna Susquehanna Behavioral Health, Intellectual Disabilities and Early Intervention Advisory Board (Resolution 25-0162), the Lackawanna County Disability Action Committee (Resolution 25-0163) and the Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority (Resolution 25-0164). The board formally reappointed and appointed named individuals; each resolution passed by voice vote.

All the above measures were adopted in regular session on July 2. The meeting record shows motions and seconds for each resolution and voice votes recorded as “ayes have it”; no roll-call tallies or dissenting votes were recorded in the meeting transcript.

Votes at a glance
- Resolution 25-0166 — Approve current payables (general-checks $2,941,142.11; electronic transfers $7,363,652.86). Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25-0158 — Award municipal electronic recycling collection event grants (up to $1,000 per listed municipality). Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25-0159 — Ratify CDBG program modifications for federal fiscal year 2020 (Dixon City and Dunmore reallocation and new ADA park activity). Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25-0165 — Authorize deaccession of trolley-museum items for scrap; proceeds to be split with Steamtown. Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25-0167 — Ratify MOU with Rx Benefits, Inc.; one-year renewal with early-renewal credit and projected rebates. Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25-0145 — Authorize lease-purchase agreement up to $3,800,000 for equipment acquisition (total project cost $4,842,339.24; ARPA allocation $1,064,992.40). Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25-0160 — Fourth amendment to food-service agreement with Aramark (09/01/2025–08/31/2026). Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25-0161 — Approve broadband assessment plan (HRG) pending solicitor review (contract cost discussed). Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25-0162 — Appointments to Lackawanna Susquehanna BH/IDD/EI advisory board (listed individuals and term dates). Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25-0163 — Appointments/reappointments to Lackawanna County Disability Action Committee (listed individuals and term dates). Outcome: approved (voice vote).
- Resolution 25-0164 — Appointment to Lackawanna Heritage Valley Authority (listed individual and term date). Outcome: approved (voice vote).

The meeting provided presenters an opportunity to summarize why each action was brought forward; no formal roll-call vote counts or recorded no/abstain votes were provided in the transcript. Several items (CDBG modifications, Rx Benefits, lease purchase and Aramark extension) were discussed with budget and timing context cited by department directors.","At their July 2 meeting in Blakely, the Lackawanna County Board of Commissioners approved a package of resolutions including payables, municipal recycling grants, CDBG contract revisions, equipment leasing, contract extensions and multiple board appointments; most measures passed by voice vote.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6701937,"Commissioners report stronger cash management, forecasted interest gains and budget savings",115,2901000,3016000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5374419-04c7abe8b0bf544d80e18ce7e0c09f8b&start=2901&end=3016","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5374419-04c7abe8b0bf544d80e18ce7e0c09f8b/thumbnail_2901000.jpg","/articles/6701937/Lackawanna-County/Pennsylvania/Commissioners-report-stronger-cash-management-forecasted-interest-gains-and-budget-savings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6701937-0259a3f4e021dd5154798a0b68a07607/orig.mp4?Expires=1771171571&Signature=HN6hjlJECEWx~417FwTVNL0MNuV5w4uy3-0WH77RzztBR6mTO87BGvZrWDulEyRJR9Rp0R9VKMlW6T0uR~MUvW1Jx78emooA3DRPPSGPjzg7ecYEyRoXORusPZUT04hKFmkcZxqatzyU-ZsFJYKNxAVK0JxnTSnkZ3fJvf6GC-OBAd8zgYvvexrpEc3OOsPs7IquzOmMTU4bP3BI5AbvJQonV-Nt8zyzuaJv0P~-1bL3A9SdB6gsc0ObpnrDAKr4RLNqPEWyTqHztCnq0igVrXDFurH6UxYN0VqNmPznXVn0XKfQ7eA-QayFD8edRgu-PgwBeo2hCHxYqrL8GVNBMw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County leaders used the July 2 meeting to describe steps taken to improve financial management and to report early fiscal gains from those reforms.

A county official reported that the CashVest cash-management program, implemented last year, consolidated monitoring of more than 90 accounts across seven financial institutions and has already produced higher interest earnings. County officials said several accounts at Fidelity earned an average 2.36% in the last quarter and that, after renegotiation, those accounts are expected to earn about 3.5%, generating an estimated $400,000 more in interest over the next 12 months. Officials provided additional estimates of $190,000 in increased interest at PNC and $220,000 at Peoples Bank, which together were described as “almost a million dollars” in projected additional revenue; officials noted estimates assume future interest-rate conditions and therefore contain uncertainty.

CFO Dave Bozzoni and Human Resources Director Joanne Decker briefed commissioners on vendor negotiations. Decker explained an early renewal of the county’s prescription benefits-management contract with Rx Benefits will produce a $39,000 invoice credit and, she said, improved rebate rates that the county projects will result in $1,100,000 in savings in 2026. Bozzoni described the savings as important to controlling next year’s budget projections.

Bozzoni also summarized equipment financing approved at the meeting: total acquisition cost $4,842,339.24, with $1,064,992.40 already allocated through ARPA funds and seven‑year lease payments estimated at $658,577.86 annually; the county budgeted a prorated 2025 payment of $329,288.93.

Commissioners and staff emphasized that while reforms are producing measurable gains, the county still faces tight cash-flow challenges and remains cautious about projecting long-term budgetary health. Officials encouraged continued focus on cost controls and revenue opportunities while the county transitions to more stable credit and cash positions.

Additional notes
The meeting also included an announcement about a county cultural event (Scrantastic) and thank-yous to local elected officials in Blakely.","Commissioners and finance officials said reforms to cash management and contract renewals have begun producing additional revenue and savings — including projected interest gains across several banks and a $1.1 million projected rebate from prescription-benefit renewals for 2026 — while cautioning the county remains in a tight fiscal position.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Residents raise questions about Tyler Technologies reassessment process and appeals; county officials outline hearings and timing

Commissioners approve HRG broadband assessment to map unserved and underserved areas

Lackawanna County commissioners approve payables, grants, contracts and appointments in voice votes

Commissioners report stronger cash management, forecasted interest gains and budget savings