A Schuylkill County judge on Nov. 26 increased the values of, and thereby the tax bills for, two properties in West Mahanoy Township.
In a six-page opinion and order, Judge John E. Domalakes ruled after a hearing that the properties in Shenandoah Heights have fair market values of $80,000 and $6,800.
By so ruling, Domalakes overturned the decision of the county Board of Assessment Appeals, which had determined the properties' fair market values to be $64,500 and $5,370, respectively.
Domalakes' ruling means higher tax bills for the properties' owners, Michael J. and Melissa A. Longenberger, and higher tax receipts for the county, township and Shenandoah Valley School District, which had appealed the board's ruling on Oct. 3.
Domalakes wrote that the $80,000 property consists of 0.24 acres and includes the Longenbergers' 291 Arizona Ave. house, while the other consists of 0.15 acres and is vacant.
Domalakes accepted as credible the testimony of Anthony Matsell, a licensed real estate appraiser, who determined the properties' values to be the higher figures. Matsell said he had appraised both properties and prepared reports on them, and Domalakes accepted his opinions.
"The (district) has overcome the presumption of validity of the County's tax determination," Domalakes wrote.
The Rosenbergers did not appear at the hearing, Domalakes wrote.