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Monessen council not ruling out commercial property tax reassessments

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MONESSEN – City Council will continue to look at commercial property tax reassessments as a way to increase tax revenues, but officials say it won’t be a quick fix for the city’s budget problems.

Monessen resident Ernie Telegraphis, who has repeatedly pushed council for an answer about commercial property tax reassessments, brought up the subject again during council’s workshop meeting Thursday.

“Because you have more expenses than income coming in, are you making any progress at all toward the eight companies that could be providing us with more income?” he asked.

Solicitor Joe Dalfonso said that option is still on the table for the city.

“I have a list of 12 properties that I’m looking into,” he said. “But it would have to go to court, and those tax appeals could take up to a year or even longer.”

Acting mayor and Councilman Tony Orzechowski said council is taking a methodical approach to tax reassessments.

“We’re going to look into it, but we’re going to do it smartly,” he said. “We don’t need to antagonize any businesses in this town.”

Dalfonso cautioned that the city could potentially lose money because of a property tax reassessment.

“There’s a good chance that if we file a tax appeal on someone’s property, their value could come back lower than what is already is,” he said.

In other business, council:

n Announced that the city’s Comprehensive Plan Advisory Committee is holding a Community Clean Up Day April 27. Volunteers will meet at Monessen High School at 9:30 a.m. and a free T-shirt will be given to the first 50 individuals who register.

n Voted to advertise for sealed bids for the sale of a 2006 Ford police vehicle and a used 2007 Chevrolet van.

n Waived parking fees in the metered lot adjacent to Dollar General for the length of the reconstruction project on Donner Avenue.

n Approved use of City Park from 2 to 6 p.m. April 20 for the Kare for My Kids Fly Easter Egg Hunt.

n Approved use of the City Park walking track and amphitheater for the 2019 Puppy Up Walk from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 7.

n Approved a request from the Monessen Public Library and Culture Center for use of the boat launch for the Car and Truck Show on Aug. 10, with a rain date of Aug. 17.

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