We ll simplify complex issues with our strategic Property Reassessment Solution package.

Transcription

1 Facing a County-Wide Property Reassessment? You re...

2 ...Not Alone. We ll simplify complex issues with our strategic Property Reassessment Solution package.

3 When Experience Matters, You Can Count On Us. The Law Offices of Ira Weiss is nationally acclaimed for leading the way to excellence in municipal and educational law. The firm s targeted legal services are ranked among the best in the nation and its lawyers are relied upon as experts in the educational and tax sectors. Known for excellence, the firm is also highly respected for winning landmark rulings. Its lawyers serve as solicitors, special counsel and tax attorneys representing public entities across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Led by prominent Attorney Ira Weiss, the firm s award-winning team assures continually changing legal requirements are in order for municipal entities and school systems. We Don t Just Practice Law, We Make History! Property Reassessments Can Be a Daunting Challenge It s only a matter of time before you re faced with a county-wide property reassessment. And, it s natural to feel overwhelmed when facing the process. However, The Law Offices of Ira Weiss are available to not only assist you, but partner with you throughout the entire reassessment from start to finish and thereafter. With our strategic Property Reassessment Solution package, you ll benefit on a multitude of levels. You ll gain valuable legal expertise from a firm nationally recognized for its broad knowledge of municipal law; avoid potential time consuming process errors from our team s first-hand property reassessment experience; engage and educate all necessary parties through a comprehensive communications program; create an effective and efficient appeals process; and ensure that appropriate training is in place for local staff to conduct future reassessments. And, to further ensure that our Property Reassessment Solution package is foolproof, we ve brought a veteran of the property reassessment process on board, Dominick Gambino. Mr. Gambino has been instrumental in several Allegheny County property reassessments and has managed well over 100,000 appeals. His knowledge, coupled with our legal expertise, will work to your benefit.

4 The Law Offices of Ira Weiss Strategic Property Reassessment Solution Package Our unique, solutions oriented product will provide you with the assurance you need while navigating through a property reassessment. We ll be your partner from the start, offering the expertise and support needed to stay on track and avoid costly errors. Our package consists of seven primary components: 1. The Vendor RFP The entire process begins with the creation of a vendor RFP; and, we ll take care of that task for you. Our team will write the RFP and all you ll have to do is advertise. It s that simple. 2. Comprehensive Communications For the property reassessment to run smoothly, you ll need to quickly get all necessary parties educated and on board. Our plan calls for an outreach to local government officials, tax assessors, real estate agents and the public. We ll provide all the tools you ll need to accomplish this necessary element. 3. Vendor Evaluation We ll efficiently guide you through vendor responses helping determine who s in compliance with your property reassessment requirements. 4. Vendor Contract Development Our legal team will ensure that an iron clad contract is in place before you begin your property reassessment process. 5. Appeals Preparation Appeals are a given in a property reassessment; however, the process doesn t have to be overwhelming or chaotic. We ve been there and know what works and what doesn t. Let our experience work to your advantage. 6. Ongoing Training Perhaps one of the most important components of our package is ensuring that before the reassessment is complete, your staff is well trained to face future reassessments on their own. We ll help you secure this important training before your vendor completes his work. 7. Ongoing Support We re always simply a call away for legal or technical advice as you move forward. Ready to Move Forward? If you re ready to begin a county-wide property reassessment, or simply would like more information about our strategic Property Reassessment Solution package, give us a call. Contact: M. Janet Burkardt, Esquire jburkardt@weisslawoffices.com

5 Meet the Team Ira Weiss Attorney Weiss is a nationally known public sector legal authority with acrossthe-board experience in education and tax law. His distinguished legal career culminates in three decades of success stories for many of Pennsylvania s large public sector entities. His experience includes serving as Allegheny County Solicitor from 1992 to 1995 and its deputy solicitor between 1981 and In 2008, Mr. Weiss was named the best of the best for the fifth consecutive year as a Super Lawyer by Law & Politics and Philadelphia Magazine. The status ranks his career talent in the top five percent of the 45,000 attorneys practicing in Pennsylvania. In June 2009, Mr. Weiss and his firm won a state-wide victory after successfully challenging the constitutionality of an inherently flawed base-year system used to determine real estate taxes in Allegheny County. The ruling has implications on systems used for determining property values across Pennsylvania. The case represents the first breakthrough in a 37-year struggle between elected officials and property owners to create fairness in an assessment system for determining property tax values. M. Janet Burkardt Attorney Burkardt is an award-winning lawyer who has been an Associate with The Law Offices of Ira Weiss since Her legal experience is across-the-board in municipal and tax law. She concentrates in high-profile tax collection matters, zoning hearings, litigation involving business privilege and mercantile taxes, and tax assessment appeals for school districts and commercial and industrial clients. Ms. Burkardt currently serves as solicitor for municipalities, school districts and zoning boards across the Commonwealth. As a public sector legal authority, she is respected for outspoken testimony on controversial legislative initiatives on behalf of professional associations and public sector clients. Ms. Burkardt is a 2006 Super Lawyer Rising Star, an honor bestowed by Law & Politics on only 2.5 percent of the more than 45,000 attorneys practicing in Pennsylvania. Dominick Gambino, CPE Mr. Gambino is a Certified PA Evaluator and the founder/owner of Diversified Municipal Services, Inc. a firm providing a variety of services and products related to local taxation and property assessment. He also served as Manager of the Office of Property Assessments in Allegheny County from In 2002, his department conducted its first in-house computer assisted mass appraisal; and, the following year, his office facilitated the conversion of 1.8 billion bits of property data to the county s present system. Under his guidance, Allegheny County s real estate Web site was enhanced to include an interactive GIS mapping system and a sophisticated search engine allowing the complex queries of assessment data. During his time at the county, over 100,000 assessment appeals were completed. Mr. Gambino also prepared special reports and audits for the Allegheny County Controller s Office. Over the years, he s served in several elected positions including local councilman and tax collector; he s also held a variety of local and state-wide board positions.

6 Fort Pitt Boulevard, Suite 503 Pittsburgh, PA The Law Offices of Ira Weiss... Strategic Property Reassessment Solution package. Our package is the right solution if you re... Beginning a county-wide property reassessment Seeking expert support and guidance throughout the process In need of specialized legal advice Wanting to stay on track and avoid time consuming, costly errors Looking to educate your residents and other key groups Interested in creating a seamless appeals process Looking to ensure that key staff are trained for future reassessments Call today for more information, The Law Offices of Ira Weiss is proud to be affiliated with King, Spry, Herman, Freund & Faul, LLC. ALLENTOWN BETHLEHEM STROUDSBURG