A sharp drop in property values will impact Schuylkill County's 2016 budget.

The decrease was $13,409,735 over this year. There was a total loss in court cases of $30,313,850 this year."At the present 13.98 mills (property tax rate), the county would lose approximately $187,000," said county Administrator Mark Scarbinsky.It's the first decrease in about five years.In previous years, the assessed, or taxable, value of property in the county increased. The assessed value is about half the fair market value.Previous years' increases were $22,970,100 in 2014; $12,632,055 in 2013; $37,050,750 in 2012; $17,110,275 in 2011; and $13,603,865 in 2010, according to figures released by Scarbinsky.There were 26 townships and 18 boroughs with an increase in assessed value, and 20 townships and 13 boroughs with a decrease in assessed value over this year.In our area, taxable values for Rush and West Penn townships, and Tamaqua borough increased, while Walker and Schuylkill townships and Coaldale borough dropped over this year, according to figures provided by Chief Assessor Virginia D. Murray.The new figures are the 2015 certifications for the year 2016; the old figures are the 2014 certifications for this year.Rush Township: The new taxable value $110,818,215, up $1,198,415 from $109,619,800.West Penn Township: The new taxable value is $119,862,590, up $974,910 from $118,887,680.Tamaqua borough: The new taxable value is $73,140,850, up $200,170 from $72,940,680.Walker Township: The new taxable value is $25,066,750, down $125,510 from $25,192,260.Schuylkill Township: The new taxable value is $13,968,175, down $121,395 from $14,089,570.Coaldale Borough: The new taxable value is $20,927,640, down $4,380 from $20,932,020.