When Schuylkill County’s property tax reassessment goes into effect in 2026, properties will be valued at 100% of their new value.

Meeting in night session Wednesday, the commissioners approved an ordinance establishing the predetermined ratio for real property tax assessment at 100% of newly-appraised value.

The ordinance will also create a county homestead exclusion program providing for the exclusion of the first $20,000 of the assessed value of the homestead property.

The original plan was to assess properties at 50% of their assessed valuation.

Beginning in July, county residents will be able to appeal their new assessments to a three-member board in August, September and October.

Appointed to serve on the boards Wednesday night were: Jill Datchko, Pine Grove; Frank Zangari, Girardville; Carole Cooney-Syzdek, Barnesville; John Guers, Saint Clair; Jeffrey Dunkel, Palo Alto; Michael Magnotta, Zion Grove; John Mika, Tower City, and Melinda Deibert, Schuylkill Haven.

Dunkel and Deibert are regular speakers during the public portion of commissioners’ meetings.

Tim Barr, of Vision Government Services Inc., the firm doing the reassessment, said more people are needed to serve on the boards.

To get on the board, people can visit the Vision website, vgsi.com, or call the commissioners’ office.

The commissioners also approved a contract with M&L Associates for preparation of federal Community Development Block Grant applications for program years 2025, 2026 and 2027. Each year will cost $9,000, plus $4,100 per year for environmental reviews, and not to exceed $9,500 per year for technical assistance.

The applications will be completed for eight county municipalities, including the Borough of Tamaqua and West Penn Township.