A settlement on the tax dispute over properties in Coaldale and Mahanoy City belonging to the Diocese of Allentown was approved by the Schuylkill County commissioners at their work session Wednesday at the courthouse in Pottsville and will now be presented to the county court for final approval.

The diocese had filed an appeal in the county court from the decision of the county Assessment Appeals Board which, on petition of the Panther Valley School District and Mahanoy Area School District, removed certain church buildings and other structures owned by the diocese from the exemption status since the churches were closed by the diocese.The appeal was scheduled to be heard before Judge Cyrus Palmer Dolbin, but after negotiations with the county solicitors, an agreement was reached which the diocese approved and now approval was given by the commissioners.In CoaldaleThe church and rectory otherwise collectively identified as Ss. Cyril and Methodius Parish, will no longer be exempt from real estate taxation and the fair market value of the parcel will be set at $110,000. The parking lot adjacent to the parish will no longer be exempt from real estate taxation and the fair market value will be set at $2,500.The tax parcel identified as St. John the Baptist, will no longer be exempt from real estate taxation and the fair market value will be set at $40,000.The tax parcel being a church, a convent and parking lot collectively identified as St. Mary will be partially exempt and partially subjected to real estate taxation. The land and building which is currently used as a convent for instructors at Marian High School is exempted from real estate tax. The land and building formerly used as a church will no longer be exempt from real estate taxes and the fair market value will be set at $55,000. The former church parking lot will no longer be exempt and the fair market value will be $5,000.In Mahanoy CityThe parcel identified as Sacred Heart Church will not be exempt from real estate taxation and the fair market set at $41,500.The parcel identified as St. Casimir will no longer be exempt and fair market value set at $52,500.The parcel identified as St. Canicus is exempted from real estate tax because it has regularly scheduled workshop services.The judge will fix the assessment percentages on the taxable properties.