What good is a once-in-30-years countywide property reassessment if it quickly falls out of date?

The answer, obviously, is not much.

That’s why an idea discussed recently by the Warren County Council of Governments makes a lot of sense and deserves consideration as the reassessment progresses. Brian Bull, chief assessor, told council members information from townships and boroughs isn’t flowing to county assessors – which means new properties aren’t being added to the tax rolls so they can pay county taxes. Demolitions are similarly going unreported – meaning county taxes are being paid for structures that are no longer standing.

“You as municipal leaders pretty much know what’s going on in your municipality,” Bull said.

He’s right.

Mustering the political will to undertake a property reassessment is really only the first step toward fairer taxes for everyone in Warren County. It’s equally important to make sure tax rolls at all levels of government in Warren County are as up to date as possible. It’s the 21st century. There is no good reason why new buildings and property demolitions aren’t reported so that the tax rolls are complete.

Remember, if new development isn’t added to the tax rolls, you’re paying more in taxes than you should be. And, if you’re the property owner who demolishes a structure and it isn’t reported, you’re paying more taxes for your property than you should be.

In either case, it is the taxpayers who aren’t being served by their government because paperwork isn’t being shuttled to the right people. We can fix this – quickly.