MIFFLINTOWN — The Juniata County Reassessment has been a subject of discussion since early 2024 when the project was first brought to the attention of the Commissioners.

A countywide reassessment determines accurate and equitable values for all properties within a county. It is required by law and not meant to raise taxes but to make sure taxes are fair for all.

The last countywide reassessment was done in 1973, meaning the assessed values of homes and businesses may not be up to date. So, Juniata County property owners are paying their county, municipal, and school taxes based on the assessed values established during the last assessment done in 1973.

Property values change over time, so assessments are needed to reflect real market values. Since the real estate tax is an “at value” tax, the fairness of the tax changes as the real estate market changes.

These changes vary between property types, geographic areas, and other factors.

Things may have been added or even removed from those properties since 1973, meaning some may even see a decrease in their taxes.

“The residential part of the reassessment is completed,” says Michael Hower, director of assessment and GIS department, during the Juniata County Commissioners’ weekly meeting on Tuesday.

Juniata County homeowners can expect to see verification letters in the mail informing them of their new value at which time they can choose to dispute the findings and appeal to the Board of Assessment by presenting their own evidence of fair market value.

A final review is expected to be completed in the winter of this year, with appeals taking place from March through May of 2026.

The assessment office is located in the Juniata County Courthouse Annex building and is open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Next, the GIS department will move on to commercial property owners who should expect to see questionnaires regarding their income and expenses in the mail.

Hower suggested that it is very important to finish and submit these forms, as it will help make the department’s findings more accurate.

Hower added that the forms are “not subject to right to know, so it won’t get out to the public.”

Juniata County Commissioners also:

• Approved a contract for the county’s Medical Assistance Transportation Program with Call-A-Ride Service;

• Approved the 2025 Provisional Affidavit Redesign Grant Agreement;

• Approved a change of contract between Juniata County Children and Youth Services and KP’s Cleaning Service;

• Approved the use of the County Records Improvement Fund to cover the cost of one Acer monitor at the $229.99 and Xerox printer at $600.50 for the office.