The largest property under appeal in Cranberry Township, and in Butler County, is the Pittsburgh Marriott North in Cranberry Woods, with a market value of more than $25 million.

CRANBERRY TWP — With hospitality businesses ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated state mitigation orders, many are looking to cut costs. For hotels and retail businesses in particular, one of those cost-cutting methods is to appeal tax assessments in order to pay less in taxes on frequently multimillion-dollar properties. The results of that tactic could impact funding of public services from road maintenance and police to school districts and parks.

This three-part series will look at how businesses try to minimize the tax bills on their properties; what that could cost the coffers of the county government, school districts and municipalities; and what impact such tax appeals have on these entities' budgets. This first article looks at the potential impacts in the southwestern tier of Butler County.

To read the full story and support our local, independent newsroom, please subscribe online.