Give people tax estimate, counties say Exclusive: Officials elsewhere believe Luzerne County should tell property owners now what they're likely to have to pay.

Byline: Jennifer Learn-Andes

Feb. 25--Property owners should be informed how much their county tax bills are likely to change when they receive their new assessed property values, say several officials who have gone through the reassessment process elsewhere. "It lets taxpayers know what's going to happen to them. They may not like it. But at least they can plan," said Lycoming County Chief Clerk Andy Folmer. "The more information you get to the public that educates them, the better they are to understand. People are frightened about things they don't understand, especially when it impacts their pocketbook," said E. John Fedor, director of York County's Assessment Office. "You can talk until you're blue in the face about technical things, but people just don't care. People want to know what it's going to cost out of their wallets. That's the big thing," said Fayette County Chief Assessor James A. Hercik. Luzerne County's reassessment company …