Schuylkill County commissioners on Dec. 24 approved changes in the tax assessment values of three large commercial properties.

One parcel, at 147 Lincoln Drive, Rush Township, was purchased for $1.48 million on Oct. 31, 2013, from BDG Charitable Remainder Trust.The previous fair market value was $1.6 million, and the assessed value was $819,475. As of Jan. 1, the fair market value will be $1.48 million and the assessed value $660,080.The two other properties are in East Union Township, and are owned by East Mountain Corp., Wilkes-Barre. The values on those properties were increased.The first, at 60 Green Mountain Road, has an assessed value of $16.3 million. As of Jan. 1, the fair market value will be $27.3 million.A neighboring property, at 63 Green Mountain Road, and owned by the same company, will have a fair market value of $18.6 million, up from $13.9 million.In other matters Wednesday, the county salary board accepted the retirement of Director of Veterans Affairs director Brenda Zechman. She will stay on as acting director at the same salary, $24.50 an hour, for an as-yet undetermined length of time until a replacement is found.The board also accepted the retirement of First Deputy Prothonotary Faye Guyeski of Branch Township. The board then established the job of per diem first deputy, at $29.10 an hour. The job will allow Guyeski to stay on to train a replacement.In other personnel matters, the board acknowledged the appointment of Stephanie Sandler, Schuylkill Haven, as an unpaid intern in the Adult Probation Department; the resignation of Nicholas Mosely, Schuylkill Haven, from his job as a part-time nurses aide at Rest Haven; and the appointment of Stacy Homka, Schuylkill Haven, as a district justice assistant 1 at $12.51 an hour.