Pittsburgh homeowners may begin calling 311, the city's service line, to get the city's help fighting new property assessments.
City council gave final approval Tuesday to a package of assistance that will be available to Pittsburgh homeowners 65 and older and to other city homeowners whose 2011 assessments totaled $150,000 or less.
The help will include a cut-rate appraisal, one-on-one help formulating an assessment appeal and even someone to argue the homeowner's case at an appeal hearing.
Some homeowners panicked after new, higher assessments started showing up in the mail late last year. In an unusual display of cooperation, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, council members and Controller Michael Lamb joined forces to even the playing field for homeowners.
The new assessments won't be used for tax purposes until 2013 while appeals are held this year for property owners who think their assessment is too high.
"Our top priority is to help residents navigate their way through this confusing process and ensure that they receive fair and accurate property assessments," Mr. Ravenstahl said in a statement after the council vote. "The way the court-ordered reassessments have been handled has left many frustrated, but it is encouraging to see city officials come together on behalf of Pittsburgh's residents in a way that we don't see too often."
Common Pleas Court Senior Judge R. Stanton Wettick Jr. ordered new assessments for all Allegheny County properties, but owners in Pittsburgh, Mount Oliver and the eastern suburbs were the first to see the new numbers. Homeowners face an April 2 deadline for filing formal appeals.
The city's package of help is similar to that offered Pittsburgh homeowners after the last round of assessments about a decade ago.
The city will put a number of local appraisers under contract at reduced rates and pay half of each eligible homeowner's appraisal fee. Appraisal firms must submit proposals to the city by 4 p.m. today.
Mr. Ravenstahl proposed the subsidized appraisals Jan. 27. Three days later, Mr. Lamb and Councilmen Corey O'Connor and Bill Peduto proposed other support, including free analysis of comparable properties with lower values.
City officials will meet Thursday to finalize details on how and where services will be provided.
Officials already have said services will be provided by city employees, including lawyers in Mr. Lamb's office, and community groups. House calls will be made to shut-ins.