Allegheny County Assessors Skipping Property Assessment Hearings

Official says lack of assessor presence could cost homeowners and the county money

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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More homeowners than ever in Allegheny County are filing appeals to try to lower their property taxes, but a key player in the process is often missing - the county assessor. According to a Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review official, the presence of the assessor used to be standard practice, but that has changed under the last two county executives. The official argues this absence can leave important details about a property unverified during hearings, potentially resulting in mistakes that affect a home's assessed value and the taxes homeowners pay. The county says the law does not require assessors to attend these hearings, but the official contends this is the law in Pennsylvania.

Why it matters

The issue highlights concerns about transparency and accuracy in the property assessment process in Allegheny County. Without assessors present, homeowners may have a harder time correcting mistakes in county records that impact their property taxes. The county could also be losing revenue if the assessment process is not as thorough as it should be.

The details

According to Mike Suley, who serves on the Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review, the presence of the county assessor used to be standard practice when homeowners appealed their property assessments. However, Suley says that changed under the last two county executives, who stopped requiring assessors to attend these hearings. Suley argues this absence can leave important details about a property unverified, such as the number of bathrooms, which can affect the assessed value. He believes the county is losing money by not having assessors present to provide accurate information.

  • The first two county executives, Jim Roddey and Dan Onorato, always had the assessor at the hearing.
  • The last two county executives stopped requiring assessors to attend the hearings.

The players

Mike Suley

A member of the Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review who previously represented homeowners in appeals before working in county government.

Jim Roddey

A former Allegheny County executive who required assessors to attend property assessment hearings.

Dan Onorato

A former Allegheny County executive who required assessors to attend property assessment hearings.

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What they’re saying

“The assessors must attend the hearings in Pennsylvania. It's the law.”

— Mike Suley, Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review official (cbsnews.com)

“The county is losing money by not having the assessor at the hearing. I see this day in and day out.”

— Mike Suley, Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review official (cbsnews.com)

What’s next

The Board of Property Assessment Appeals and Review has requested a legal opinion on whether assessors are required to attend the hearings, and the county is looking into the exemption it claims allows them to not have assessors present.

The takeaway

This issue highlights the importance of transparency and accuracy in the property assessment process. Without assessors present, homeowners may have a harder time correcting mistakes in county records that impact their property taxes, and the county could be losing revenue if the assessment process is not as thorough as it should be.