Senate Local Government Committee Addresses Assessor Post

Bills would eliminate obsolete position in boroughs and 1st class townships

The Senate Local Government Committee today unanimously approved three bills which would eliminate an obsolete elected position still required by state law for Pennsylvania’s Boroughs and First Class Townships, according to Committee Chairman Bob Regola (R-39).

The bills would eliminate the position of elected assessor in the Borough Code (SB 635) and the First Class Township Code (SB 709).  SB 636 would eliminate references to Borough and First Class Township assessors in the Fourth through Eighth Class County Code.

“The elected assessor position is unnecessary at the municipal level since counties are already required to perform those assessments,” Senator Regola said.  “Even though many of these positions are simply unfilled in many municipalities, local governments and counties are still required to spend the time, effort, and money to put the position on the ballot.”

By eliminating the locally-elected position, counties will save money in ballot printing costs, election certification procedures and other duties associated with locally elected positions.  Locally elected assessors were eliminated in other classes of municipalities in Pennsylvania through previously enacted legislation.

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Contact:  Nate Silcox (717) 787-6063