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Appeals Process Begins For Property Reassessments

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) – Outrage over high property reassessments in Allegheny County made its way to court Tuesday morning as the appeals process began.

Informal reviews of the reassessment appeals began around 9 a.m. at the City County Building.

Things did not go as smoothly as initially planned because those wishing to appeal needed to go through a couple of extra steps they did not initially anticipate.

"I've been waiting in line for half an hour. They want us to scan documents and then you have to sign in and then you're going to have to wait again," Dean Short said.

Each person was assigned a hearing time, but they had to scan evidence they were going to use in their hearing into a county computer.

"I probably scanned over the scanning part, but I certainly would have expected they would have more than one scanner operating," Victoria Pickard said.

"It's poorly run, it's unorganized. What did they think was going to happen?" Short said.

After scanning, came registration, which was followed by the hearing. Some people felt the hearing was the quickest part of the whole process.

"She made some recommendations. She thought maybe I was right. They wanted to know what I thought the house was worth. It went from $51,000 to $124,100," one woman said.

While there was an element of annoyance and anger, there was also fear and worry.

Donna Brumm's assessment rose roughly $40,000 on the house and property she's called home for 41 years.

"I may lose my house. I'm 65-years-old on Social Security. I have no other income coming in. I'm a diabetic. I can't go to work. What am I going to do?" Brumm said.

Following today's appeals, letters will be mailed out informing people of the new assessment value of their homes.

Those still not satisfied with the new number can file a formal appeal in front of a judge.

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