Schuylkill County officials: Tax reassessment, data centers are statewide issues
Schuylkill County officials reported shared pressures among Pennsylvania counties regarding data center development, specifically energy and water usage, and state tax exemptions. The county commissioners unanimously passed a resolution declaring their current zoning ordinance "substantially invalid" for data centers. This action initiates a 180-day period for officials to draft and adopt new zoning amendments to establish definitions, performance standards, and placement rules for data centers.
Schuylkill County officials, following the County Commissioners Association of Pennsylvania (CCAP) conference, reported that county commissioners statewide are confronting shared pressures regarding property tax reassessments and data center development.
During an August 6 meeting, the Schuylkill County Board of Commissioners stated that counties have prioritized seeking legislative relief for reassessment protocols due to legal mandates that force costly revaluations. Chairman Larry Padora expressed a desire for earlier advocacy on reassessments, noting that even the smallest counties agree on the need for reform, especially as organizations like the Community Justice Project are suing counties over outdated assessment rolls. Schuylkill County completed its first reassessment since 1996, taking effect in 2026. Commissioner Barron "Boots" Hetherington suggested exempting counties with stable assessment ratios from mandatory reassessment cycles. Chief Assessor Christine Zimmerman clarified that annual property tax appeals differ from full reassessment appeal cycles, emphasizing the taxpayer's burden to prove market value.
Another significant discussion point at CCAP was the rapid expansion of data centers and associated concerns about energy and water usage, as well as state tax policies that exempt internal equipment, which Padora noted makes Pennsylvania attractive to developers. To address its own regulatory deficiencies, the Schuylkill County commissioners unanimously passed a resolution declaring the county's zoning ordinance "substantially invalid" because it lacks explicit definitions or regulations for data centers and battery energy storage systems. This action initiates a 180-day safe-harbor period during which county planning and zoning officials will draft and adopt amendments to establish legal definitions, performance standards, and placement rules for data centers and energy storage infrastructure. This process will include publishing notice, holding a public hearing for resident feedback, and a final public vote.
Padora also highlighted conversations at the conference about future regional partnerships, specifically with Luzerne County, to explore joint initiatives for cost savings. The board formally updated its partnership agreements with the Luzerne/Schuylkill Workforce Development Board, designating Padora as the lead official for signing shared workforce documents.