Lackawanna property revaluation eventually coming, but Erie Co. Office of Real Property Services might handle process

LACKAWANNA, N.Y. — Property tax assessment can always be a touchy subject for a community and now in the City of Lackawanna, a push to keep a valued employee may also bring a greater involvement by Erie County in the assessment process. 

Any issue involving property taxes for homeowners in the city of Lackawanna usually draws a good crowd for a City Council meeting.

RELATED: Deckorators Inc. Manufacturing Plant officially opens in Lackawanna

However relatively few were there Tuesday for an unusual 1 p.m. special meeting for four council members who approved unanimously the one item on the agenda – to allow the city attorney to start talks on a possible agreement with Erie County for quote “county provided assessment services.” 

City officials say it could keep some dual employment connection with current City Assessor Michael Milks.

City Attorney Arianna Kwiatkowski said, “The county had approached him about becoming a county employee and I firmly believe that is why Lackawanna was approached to enter this type of arrangement.”

Lackawanna City Council President Frederic Marrano pointed out, “I am confident in our City Attorney’s ability to negotiate on behalf of the city and in the city’s best interest so that in the event it’s no longer attractive or workable and we are not treated fairly and equitably by the county then we cancel that contract.”

Kwiatkowski added, “I think the incentive for the city to potentially pursue this arrangement is that it would be a significant cost savings to the city because one of the terms – again if we agree with the county – would be the handling of reassessment for the city.”

An Erie County spokesman confirms the county’s Real Property Tax Services Office is discussing such shared services agreements with a “handful of municipalities.”

John Kwasniewski is a a self – described Lackawanna taxpayer and former council member who weighed in with a local government control opinion, “If the county takes over – if they’re gonna control the whole county – they’re trying to control and they”ll be the lead enforcer then for the whole county instead of the city or a village or something doing their own.”

So 2 On Your Side asked if there is any potential overall impact on property taxes with such agreement with the county. Marrano responded, “That’s a possibility whether the county takes over the services or doesn’t. Because the city is required every I believe – every ten years to conduct a revaluation and that is contemplated in the future.”

The City attorney says if there would be a signed petition opposing an assessments agreement with Erie County in the next 45 days that could lead to a Lackawanna referendum on any such plan.

Lackawanna City Council would have to vote an any formal assessments agreement with Erie County.