Someone wondered aloud why the property owners of these Columbia properties have appealed their property assessment.
Property assessment appeals are heard by the Lancaster County Assessment Office. “The Lancaster County Assessment Office assesses real estate within the county for the local property tax levy. County government, 17 school districts and most of the 60 municipalities in the County levy a property tax. For most, the property tax is their principal source of revenue.”
The owners of these properties have filed “assessment appeals” – what is interesting is that five of the eight owners do not live in Columbia.
Guess they are accustomed to lower property and school taxes where they live?
- 314 South Third Street, Columbia
- 316 South Third Street, Columbia
- 319 Poplar Street, Columbia
- 324 North Fourth Street, Columbia
- 329 North Third Street, Columbia
- 330 Perry Street, Columbia
- 437 North Fourth Street, Columbia
- 506 Concord Lane, Columbia
The Lancaster County Board of Assessment Appeals will hear these (and other) appeals for assessment review on Thursday, June 9 beginning around 9:30 a.m. at 150 North Queen Street, Suite 310, Lancaster, PA.
Appeals may be granted after review; appeals for modified assessment are considered for numerous reasons including: disabled veteran status, property assumed by a registered and approved charitable organization or religious entity. (For instance, this mention from the October, 2010 Assessment Office minutes – “LUTZ BIXLER REAL ESTATE PARTNERSHIP (Installment sale to Haitian Maranatha Bible Church, Inc.) A motion was made by Mr. Bechtold and seconded by Mr. Fry to approve exemption for the property on Locust Street, parcel number 110-48632-0-0000 located in Columbia Borough. The exemption will be effective beginning with the 2010-2011 School and 2011 County and Municipal tax years. Motion passed.”)
Might be interesting to see what happens with these appeals; maybe there is another way to beat the highest tax burden … get a lowered assessment!
Columbia news, views & reviews 
How is it that the owner Lutz Bixler Real Estate receives an exemption? Because the group renting is holding religious services? That’s a bunch of bullsht! So if I hold a religious service once a week in my house I too could receive an exemption? It’s worth considering.
So I see this (person), who lives in Mountville, got a good deal when he purchased the properties. Now he thinks he is entitled to lower assessments because he paid less than the current assessment? It’s called a “good deal”!
Somebody needs to be present from the borough and schoolboard at these hearings to fight these assessments!