Instructions for Assessment Appeals to the Blair County Court of Common Pleas

Overview

This document provides step-by-step instructions for residents appealing property tax assessments in Blair County, Pennsylvania. It outlines the required forms, filing procedures, fees, and service requirements for appeals filed with the Court of Common Pleas.

Filing Requirements

To initiate an appeal, the appellant must complete and file several specific documents:

• Supreme Court Civil Cover Sheet: Must be completed for each appeal. The appellant's name goes in the "Lead Plaintiff's name" box, and the "Board of Assessment" box must be marked.
• Assessment Appeal Mediation Scheduling Order: The appellant must fill in their name as the Appellant in the caption.
• Petition for Appeal: Complete the caption and all highlighted areas on the "Petition for Appeal from Decision of the Board of Assessment Appeals" for each property. The form must be dated and signed with an accurate mailing address.
• Decision Notice: A copy of the Board of Assessment Appeals Decision Notice must be attached to the Petition.

Filing Process and Location

• Copies: Make five copies of the Petition for Appeal and Decision Notice. One is for your records, and one is for each taxing body (Blair County Board of Assessment, County Solicitor, municipality, and school district).
• Submission: File the Cover Sheet, Mediation Scheduling Order, the ORIGINAL Petition for Appeal (with Decision Notice), and five copies with the Blair County Prothonotary's Office.
• Location: Blair County Courthouse, 423 Allegheny Street, Ste. 144, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648.
• Deadline: Filing must occur within 30 days from the mailing date of the Decision Notice.
• Return: Copies will be time-stamped and returned to the appellant.

Fees

• Amount: A filing fee of $145. 00 is required for each appeal.
• Payment Methods: Cash, check, or money order made payable to the Prothonotary’s office.

Legal Representation

• Self-Represented: If you do not plan to retain an attorney, you must complete and file an "Entry of Appearance as a Self-Represented Party" form.

Service of Process

After filing, you must serve a copy of the appeal and decision on all interested taxing bodies. This can be done via:

• Personal service (hand delivered)
• Certified mail, return receipt requested
• First Class mail, postage prepaid

Who to serve:

• The Board (Blair County Assessment Office)
• The County (Lee Dellecker, Esq. , Weiss Burkardt Kramer, LLC)
• All School Districts (Beard Legal Group)
• Municipalities (Specific solicitors listed for each township/borough/city in the document)

Certificate of Service

After providing notice to the Blair County Board of Assessment and other interested taxing bodies, you must file a Certificate of Service with the Blair County Prothonotary Office.

Mediation Details

• Attendance: All parties with full settlement authority must be personally present at the mediation session.
• Evidence: Three copies of any evidence to be used in a hearing (including property appraisals, if available) must be submitted to Court Administration 5 days prior to the scheduled mediation.
• Submission Address for Evidence: Court Administration, 423 Allegheny Street, Suite 239, Hollidaysburg, PA 16648 (Fax: 814-693-3289).

Checklist Summary

The document concludes with a checklist to ensure all steps are completed:

• Completed civil cover sheet
• Completed appeal form for each property with notice of board decision attached (plus five copies)
• Filing fee of $145. 00 for each appeal
• Entry of Appearance as a Self-Represented Party (if not using an attorney)
• Serve (mail or deliver) copies to Board of Assessment and other interested parties
• File Certificate of Service with Blair County Prothonotary's Office