As it prepares to reassess properties for the first time since 1996, Schuylkill County is beginning to pay the costs.

Chief Assessor Kent Hatter asked for commissioners’ approval to lease/purchase three 2022-2023 Subaru Imprezas from Steve Moyer Subaru, Leesport, Berks County, to conduct data collection and district work by field appraisers.

Other people working on the reassessment would drive their own vehicles, he said.

The lease purchase will be made through Mauch Chunk Trust Co., Jim Thorpe, at $30,395 per vehicle.

The annual lease payment for each vehicle is $6,079 for five years.

Commissioner George Halcovage Jr. and Commissioners’ Chairman Barron L. Hetherington voted in favor of the request.

Commissioner Gary J. Hess voted against the purchase.

“I really don’t have an issue with this. I think it’s a great idea,” he said.

But Hess said he was troubled by the fact that the purchase was not made through COSTARS, the state’s cooperative purchasing program, nor were bids sought.

“I have a problem … there are a number of other car dealers out there,” he said.

Hetherington said Hatter told him he had called several dealers, but none called him back.

“I share Mr. Hess’ concerns, but Mr. Hatter did work on this,” Hetherington said.

Hatter, at an Aug. 3 commissioners’ workshop meeting, said the cars would be used only by the field appraisers, who would be required to take a safe and defensive driving class.

He said new vehicles are more reliable, and would be equipped with GPS and “other navigational features” that will help the county keep track of them and protect the appraisers.

“Safety for these employees is paramount,” he said.

He said using county vehicles would be safer for the subcontractors than using their own vehicles. Their own cars could possibly be damaged by irate people.

Hatter said the lease/purchase would be cost effective. They would be worth about $12,000 at the end of the five years, and so could be sold.

At that meeting, county Financial Director Paul E. Buber said he “was good with” the purchase.

The reassessment is being done as a result of a lawsuit filed by the Community Justice Project, a Harrisburg group which contends the county tax burden is unfairly distributed due to the 26-year gap in property value reviews.

The project will take about three years, so the new assessed values will be able to be used to set taxes no later than Jan. 1, 2026.