The bottom line?

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Wednesday, September 23. 2009

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BOC still faces budget questions, but no tax rate increase expected

Madison County commissioners are wrapping up their budget meetings with department heads. Soon, they’ll have to get down to the real bottom line. How much of a budget shortfall is there and what are they going to do about it?

Madison County’s BOC opened its budget talks with requested expenses totaling $14.9 million. Commissioners have pored over each line of the county budget. And weeks into the budget discussions, that figure has been trimmed down to roughly $13.8 million.

Meanwhile, the BOC began its talks with projected revenues of $13 million for 2010. However, that number was based on a conservative guess regarding tax collections, due to the down economy. Normally, the government anticipates a 97 percent property tax collection rate, but the $13 million was based on a projected 90-percent rate.

Madison County Commission chairman Anthony Dove said the board has been waiting for tax digest numbers from chief appraiser Robin Baker, with final figures expected this week. He said once the board gets those figures the group plans to meet with Baker and tax commissioner Louise Watson, who he said could provide the board with a better idea of what tax collections might look line in 2010.

“We’ve kind of been looking at 93 percent in terms of what tax collections will be,” said Dove.

A collection rate of 93 percent, as opposed to 90 percent, would mean roughly $230,000 more in anticipated tax revenue, according to figures provided by finance director Kathy Clark. But Clark added that it’s really too early to set specific numbers.

“We will possibly have the new consolidation report and other reports this week and will be able to estimate projections on more current information,” wrote Clark in response to emailed budget questions from The Journal.

With projected expenses at approximately $13.8 million and revenues at $13 million to $13.2 million, the board could face the prospect of shaving several hundred thousand more dollars in expenses, or raising taxes to cover a revenue shortfall.

Dove said he is committed to not raising the county’s tax rates. He has noted that homeowners are already going to feel the pinch of over $200 added to their bills since the state eliminated the Homeowners’ Tax Relief Grant.

“If I had to speculate I’d say a majority of the commissioners are (committed to not raising taxes) too, if not all of them,” said Dove.

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#1 B. Smith on 09/23/09 at 06:47 AM [Reply]

Mr. Dove if you are reading this, please do something about the unpaid taxes in this county. There are thousands of dollars that have not been collected by our tax commissioner. Can she not hold a tax sale? The money that this county is not collecting could make the difference in a department, a job, a way of life for some. Thank you.

#2 MC property Taxpayer on 09/23/09 at 08:07 AM [Reply]

I think there are property lots/parcels were taxes not paid. Why not ? Prior BOA owed taxes ! Why should I have to pay more for others mistakes. Is there a reason not aggressively trying to get these back taxes ?

#3 sarahw on 09/23/09 at 01:28 PM [Reply]

While I won't advocate for not paying one's property taxes, I will say there are often circumstances that explain why the taxes are not paid.

My own family experienced this. A family member had a protracted illness and did not pay his property taxes as a result of the illness and ensuing medical bills totaling hundreds of thousands of dollars. No one in the family new about this. Understandably, our family member did not want us to know.

Would it be right for the county to have taken his home where he has paid taxes all his life? Would it have been right for the county to have forced him into homelessness when he was sick and in the hospital? I think not.

Once we in the family became aware of the situation, we paid the back taxes. Not only did we pay the back taxes, we paid thousands MORE in penalties and interest. In other words, the county govt. gets EVEN MORE taxes from these individuals when the back taxes are paid (and they are eventually paid in 100% of the cases). So, in the end, it is actually profitable for the county to let these penalties and interest accumulate.

Again, I don't advocate paying taxes late and it does cause problems when calculating the budget, but govt. taking people's property while they are in the hospital and unconscious certainly isn't what I think the role of govt. is.

What is obvious to me is that the idea of private ownership of property is a myth. All of the property belongs to the govt. We merely rent it from the govt. It's not nice to boot out a tenant who has paid his rent faithfully for over 60 years just because he has to be hospitalized with a serious illness. When he gets back on his feet, he will pay the back rent.

#3.1 D.R. on 09/23/09 at 06:11 PM [Reply]

SarahW...if half of the unpaid taxes were because of hardships that would be one thing. If you will take the time to educate yourself(view online at www.madisoncountyga.us) on the taxes owed you would realize that many if not most are cases where the people just choose not to pay. A successful business in the MadCo Business Park has a lot of unpaid taxes. A family in Comer never pays county taxes until forces to because of tax sale, well that particular lady will have to pay her city taxes now because Comer is having a tax sale. Good Job Comer for collecting your taxes even if the current tax commissioner will not do her job.

I wish Madison Co. Journal would get a list of unpaid taxes and publish it.

Oh yeah, as far as late penalties on unpaid taxes...those can be waived by the tax commissioner also. So if she hand picks who she requires to pay taxes, don't you think she will also hand pick who she waives the late fee for????

#4 Anonymous on 09/23/09 at 01:30 PM [Reply]

There are more than thousands of dollars owed. There are millions!!! Yes the Tax Commissioner is NOT collecting back taxes Like she should be. As for "prior BOA owed taxes" MC property Taxpayer, that was ONE member of the prior BOA!!! Please get your story straight before you accuse everyone!!!!!! You think things were a mess before. You don't know the half of what it is now!!!

#4.1 Clerk on 09/23/09 at 04:49 PM [Reply]

You are mistaken. There is nowhere near even $1 million owed, much less "millions."

#4.1.1 D.R. on 09/30/09 at 03:40 PM [Reply]

Clerk, unfortunatly you are incorrect. I have seen a copy of delinguent taxes that Louise Watson printed herself. The total was in the millions, now that includes the BOC, BOE and IDA portions of the taxes all added together to make up millions.

If you were accurate in the thousands instead of millions maybe there wouldn't be so many people wanted those taxes collected.

#5 Taxed on 09/23/09 at 02:30 PM [Reply]

MC property Taxpayer, you infer in your post that ALL the prior BOA owed back taxes, but they did not. Those who paid on time are probably not happy with your blanket accusation.

It is sad when a faithful taxpayer is suddenly unable to pay through no fault of their own (serious illness) like the person described in #3. But how does one person (the Tax Commissioner, I assume) decide which people to press for payment and which to let slide? Or is it just a case where she doesn't press ANY delinquents for payment? What if everyone just paid if, and when, they wanted to?

#6 TAX PAYER on 09/23/09 at 03:14 PM [Reply]

There are many wealthy members of our county who owe thousands & THOUSANDS of dollars that hasnt been paid This is not about someones circumstances our tax commissioner turns a blind eye to a choice few people if people only knew who and how much tax payers would be OUTRAGED !!!!!!

#7 MC taxpayor on 09/23/09 at 03:25 PM [Reply]

"prior member" : when that discussed in prior newspaper article many people were justly upset. That prior member and conservation tax issue was interesting. My post did not accuse "everyone". Your !!!!! and noting by suggestion that "half of what it is now" suggests maybe more concerned citizens need to be involved.
It is my belief that MC trying to improve govt functions and I see MC employee's that to me are helpful and courteous.

#8 MC land taxpayer on 09/24/09 at 08:02 AM [Reply]

Prior BOA gone. 1 in 5 of those owed back taxes. that is 20% which higher than general MC taxpayor base. To Anonymous please let concerned citizens now know as Paul Harvey would say " the rest of the story ". What is problem or is there a problem with new 3 member board ?

#9 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 08:13 AM [Reply]

Sarah, I feel for your family, and would never want your family to lose your property to back taxes. I hope you can get back on your feet and regain momentum.
The problem is not the individuals but the people with business, large parcels, business people. Their theory is It's better to leave my money in the bank and draw interest than pay the county my tax dollars and let them draw interest.
Mr. Dove, BOC members, please step up to the plate and do something. I am not sure that you can legally, but refrain from giving our tax department any budget request until some tax dollars are collected.

#10 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 03:23 PM [Reply]

Clerk, you are wrong or just covering up for the Tax Commissioner. I have seen the numbers and there is approx. 3 MILLION in back taxes. You bring your numbers and I will bring mine. If the Journal would publish these everyone could see for themselves. These are not hard luck cases. These are business people and well off individuals who can well afford to PAY. Some go back four or five years!!! They are just plain not being collected.
As for "knowing the half of it", yes the new BOA does not have a clue as to what is going on. But why should they? None of them are certified or have any experience. They are just letting the chief appraiser run everthing without any supervision. And there is where the problem begins. I won't go into everything here because Zach does not have enough space, but trust me I KNOW! And if you knew your hair would stand straight UP!!!!!

#11 Anonymous on 09/24/09 at 03:38 PM [Reply]

Look at it this way. At last everyone will get their tax bills on time. No more paying twice in one year. It really doesn't matter that some people with like properties will pay MUCH more than others. That some will get their values reduced with a wink and a nod. That some will be let go altogether and some simply won't pay. But that is the way the people and the BOC wanted it. They just can't wait to spend your money. It doesn't really matter if everyone is paying their fair share or not does it?? That is the way everyone wanted it right??

#12 lamar on 09/24/09 at 03:59 PM [Reply]

I remember back in the late 80's or early 90's the Journal posted a delinquent tax list a couple of times.It made for some interesting reading.Perhaps we need to see this again so public opinion will sway some people to meet their responsibilities.As to the new BOA,we had to start over so it will take a while to get them certified.I wonder if any of them have been to class yet? They aren't there to supervise as such.The previous board tried that and look what happened.

#12.1 Anonymous on 09/25/09 at 03:39 PM [Reply]

Lamar, if you don't have some kind of oversight what is the point of having a board at all? Just let the chief appraiser do whatever he wants to whomever he wants to do it to!! I say there needs to be some kind accountability from the assessors office to the BOA and there is not at this time. It's just an office run wild. There are things going on that even you would not believe Lamar.

#12.1.1 lamar on 09/29/09 at 08:51 AM [Reply]

What kind of things are taking place? I misspoke about the issue of supervision, perhaps I should have said they don't need to micro-manage.The BOA should make sure proper appraisal practices are followed.If you have positive proof they are not appraising property corrrectly, why not question the new BOA members?I would be interested to know what the assesor's office that is not correct.

#12.1.1.1 Anonymous on 09/29/09 at 03:21 PM [Reply]

The new BOA would NOT listen to anything wrong in the assessor's office. They are just a bunch of RUBBER STAMPERS with their head in the sand. Anybody can see what is going on.

#12.1.1.2 Anonymous on 09/29/09 at 08:30 PM [Reply]

Come on Lamar, you are a smart man and you were around the assessor's office long enough to know how things are. Neither you, the new BOA or anyone else reading these post really care what goes on in that office. Especially the new BOA! They are too busy believing Pethel, Thomas and Dove to see the REAL truth. So there is no need to spell it out here because it would only fall on deaf ears. Also there was NEVER any micro-managing of the office. That was just a cover up when people got too close. Several members of the old board were trying to clean up a mess that was left from years earlier and it would have been a great benefit to MC taxpayers if they had succeded. But there was a PERSONAL private conflict between some members and the BOC. So the job was never completed and now it will never be. The real loser is the MC taxpayer. Proper appraisal pratices??? Don't make me laugh!

#12.1.1.2.1 MC Taxpayor on 10/01/09 at 07:56 AM [Reply]

So who on old BOA trying to clean up process. Seems news suggested that BOA not working well at times together.

I vote publish who owes taxes. I vote a list of those with conservation tax breaks be published also. Those list would be interesting.

#12.1.1.2.2 lamar on 10/02/09 at 07:31 AM [Reply]

I do care and so should everyone in the county. If we can't generate operating funds for schools,police and other emergency services,then how are we going to survive much less grow in Madison County? I wasn't lying when I said last month that I met a lot of great people during my time in the office and that they deserved a lot better than they were getting.Tax appraisal is not rocket science.You go out and pick up new construction,personal property,review appeals,conservation and preferential applications,and review older appraisals to make sure no mistakes were made.The results of this work is forwarded to the BOA.The BOA then determines whether or not the work has been done according to guidelines set by the DOR and standardized back in the 70's.Now there is a little more work than that but this is pretty much it.The problem with the last few boards we had was on each one you had people who were either using it as a spring board for their own political agendas,or had a grudge against some one in office,or wanted thier own property taken care of.Throw in people in the office supporting some of these people, instead of being impartial and apolitical, and things go to Hell in a handbasket real quick.The BOA should'nt give a tinker's damn about being friendly and personal with the staff.They should just make sure the job is done in a timely and correct matter.If they can do it in one meeting a month, more power to them.It will save the county a little money.Listen the two boards I worked under were for the most part good solid people.There were farmers,local business owners,fee appraisers,and retired military personell.These were good honest individuals who were ignored by some of the others until it hit the fan.Then every body got blamed.The last six years there have been some really good people,that suffered because of some really rotten people.I remember them and will tell each of them how much I thought of them whenever I see them.I do care.When I first came to Madison County it seemed there was more in the Athens papers about us than the Clarke County government.It was shameful at times.If you don't think things are being done correctly,BOA meetings are public meetings,go to one and ask questions.Hold these folks accountable for their actions.You do realize that no board can set values.The values set themselves due to market,location,and a few other deciding factors.I had an instuctor once who summed it up nicely" It is what it is and that is all it is."Please don't think I don't care.

#13 Anonymous on 09/25/09 at 09:22 AM [Reply]

Zach, Why can't you amuse #10 and show us the numbers? I would actually buy a paper to see these numbers and see the actual names.

#14 MC taxpayor on 09/25/09 at 12:56 PM [Reply]

I vote for paper noting who owes taxes.

#15 Anonymous on 09/25/09 at 04:41 PM [Reply]

Yep, publish the list of unpaid taxes over say, 2 years? Might see some interesting names and numbers there.

#16 Colbert Crusader on 09/25/09 at 09:43 PM [Reply]

I understand that the BOC is throwing around the idea of cutting county employee benefits. Gov't employees already are not compensated enough for the work that they do, it's the benefits for some that are able to retain the workforce. So when the Commissioners like Pethel decide that excessive furloughs and taking away holiday pay would help with budget, it will cause irreversible damage. How long do you think it take before Madison County completely self destructs. I will give credit to Dove for standing up for the little guy, or maybe he's doing a little CYA.

#16.1 FM on 09/28/09 at 10:10 AM [Reply]

Nah. Unemployment is high; a lot of people are looking for work. So, advantage goes to the employers right now.

So now is the time to cut Madison County employees' pay and benefits. We need to. We the taxpayers are NOT your ATM and we don't have the money to budget for too much pay and sure as heck can't be paying for your vacation and coffee breaks.

Time to test the water. Cut the pay. Let's see who is willing to quit when there aren't any other jobs out there. My guess is NO ONE. And it really won't matter if they quit anyway. There are thousands of people out of work looking for a job so any employee who quits will be easily and quickly replaced, probably with a better worker! It's called Capitalism. It's how this country works. You don't like it? Quit your government job and move to another country. We have people lined up ready to fill your shoes.

#16.1.1 Colbert Crusader on 09/28/09 at 08:44 PM [Reply]

FM, were you born in America, you sound like you have it all together, or maybe you just work at a job were the only benefits are 50% off your happy meal.

Commissioners should think a lot before they push benefit cuts. The best thing about the BOC making those decisions is that they will be voted out at next election. That's called democracy, and that how this country is supposed to work.

#16.1.1.1 Taxpayor on 09/29/09 at 08:02 AM [Reply]

May be voted out if do not cut benefits.

#16.1.1.2 FM on 09/29/09 at 11:15 AM [Reply]

The only way they will be voted out is if they raise taxes.

If things stay as they are, odds are 50-50.

But, if they actually lower taxes, they can stay in office as long as they like. One sure way to cut taxes is to cut money from the budget. In today's climate, with so many unemployed and desperate for work, we should take advantage of that climate and cut benefits, cut hours, even cut pay. Again, any employee who doesn't like it is easily replaced.

With the savings, the commissioners can cut taxes. Think that a few disgruntled ex-employees have the numbers to vote out a commissioner? I'll put the numbers of taxpayers who are happy to see their tax bill go down for a change against those odds any day. Commissioners would roll to landslide victories, with the only votes against them coming from those ex-employees.

The economy is bad. Unemployment is high. Those are bad things. But, there are some positives. Being able to save some money in the county budget by taking advantage of the climate is one of those positives. We have a large, qualified labor pool looking for work. It would be irresponsible of the commissioners not to take full advantage of the situation to help out the hardworking taxpayers of this county.

#17 Anonymous on 09/25/09 at 10:07 PM [Reply]

Me too!

#18 MC paying taxpayor on 09/28/09 at 09:47 AM [Reply]

Maybe if taxes paid overall tax basis could be reduce a little for us making end meet also.

MC has lots to offer. Publish back taxes. I agree also if family can show true hardship case such as cancer and have not realized parcel can be conservation status to give guidance there.

Question for board : if back taxes paid would this help departments like zoning enforce codes somewhat better such as yard sales on highways-animal control or how about since denied food license recently for BRO to enforce erosion control.

#19 Anonymous on 09/29/09 at 07:18 AM [Reply]

16.1 I think we are the minority, unfortunately. People in our society feel that they are "entitled" to benefits from their employer on a daily basis. In the business world, when a business is not making any profit, you make amends to the overhead. These employees need to be glad that they have a job and stop thinking that you are "entitled" to government benefits.
Who really needs off MLK day? or President's Day? Veterans Day? Employees take the time and think---2 furlough days could mean my friend keeps her job, or the elderly couple down the street doesn't have a tax hike. Think about it.

#19.1 County Employee on 09/30/09 at 03:50 PM [Reply]

I can't speak for all employees, but I know the one in my department are glad to have a job now. We are also ok with any cuts (holiday pay, furlough)that the commissioners need to make in order to save jobs and make sure a tax increase is not a result.

What many of you may forget is that most of the county employees live in this county also. That means we pay taxes here also. So guess what I do not want my taxes to go up either.

So instead of talking about county employees like we are some form of aliens maybe you should remember that we are citizens of this county just like you!

#19.1.1 Anonymous on 10/02/09 at 02:53 PM [Reply]

County employee you need to be working instead of advocating for your department and the county workers. It is 4:50 according to the stamp.

#19.1.1.1 County Employee on 10/07/09 at 07:58 PM [Reply]

Not all county employees work from 8am until 5pm. There are many departments that don't work standard hours.

Glad to see you are concerned about your tax dollars.

#19.1.1.1.1 Resident Redneck on 10/08/09 at 08:35 AM [Reply]

Yes County Employee I have to agree with you on that? There is some departments that work all sorts of hours? Like the Sheriff,corner,game warden what some people don't understand just because they don't work standard hours don't mean they don't work? If something happens at 3:00 A.M. they have to get up out of bed and go.

#19.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 10/08/09 at 01:59 PM [Reply]

You must be one of those people then. Which one Resident Redneck? Cause I certainly do not want you coming to my house, or checking to see if I died, or in my woods with a gun. Just saying.

#19.1.1.1.1.1.1 Resident Redneck on 10/09/09 at 08:28 AM [Reply]

Anonymous and why is that? Even us Rednecks know when Bubba's dead? You can say what you want but I knows you no mean it? Answer me this if you was choking or needed CPR would you rather me let you die or save your life? It should be an easy choice you either die and quit living forever or you let a dumb country Redneck save your life? That's Ok I'll wait while you decide.

#19.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Anonymous on 10/09/09 at 09:49 AM [Reply]

You are so funny. The problem is your problem a very prominent person in this county, that's scary. If I choke or if you choke, I would save you eventhough. At least we know that Resident Redneck is there for us. :-)

#19.1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1 Resident Redneck on 10/12/09 at 10:14 AM [Reply]

Yes Anonymous it don't matter who you are or how I feel about you I would still save your life if possible. My Personal opinion of you don't matter? I may hate your guts but a life is more important than my feelings of you. I would even try to save the lowest scum of the earth because if I know what to do that may save this persons life and I do nothing and let them die I will have to live with that the rest of my life. I would even try to save the people posting comments on here that put me down and don't like me because no matter what they say about me or how bad they talk about me they are still a human being and the Bible says WE MUST love our neighbor as ourself.

#19.1.2 CASEY on 10/08/09 at 07:38 AM [Reply]

Then get to work.

#20 Resident Redneck on 09/30/09 at 11:55 PM [Reply]

Hey I just came up with an ideal: What if the BOA were to say if the people who owe back taxes come in to pay them by the end of the year they can just pay the taxes? No fines or late fees just pay what they owe. Just what they owe in back taxes would be alot better than what the county is getting now? That would be enough to fund a whole nother department or split it up between the departments that are hurting for money now?

#20.1 lamar on 10/02/09 at 07:43 AM [Reply]

The BOA has nothing to do with the collection of taxes,they determine property values.An amnesty program would most likely be a political descision.You have a good idea though.Only problem I have, is you and me pay what we owe, these people should too.I would still like to see the names printed in the paper.Keep on keepin'on RR.

#20.1.1 Resident Redneck on 10/06/09 at 11:26 AM [Reply]

lamar- The only problem with your ideal is they could print a list of the people who don't pay their taxes every week and most of these deadbeats don't care and if you tell someone you seen their name in the paper for not paying their taxes you would have to hear every sob story there is to why they couldn't pay their taxes? Then they would sue because the paper published their name and it made their neighbors think bad about them? Some big wig lawyer would find something to sue the county over and if the county looses the case then it will cost the county more money plus they still won't get paid for the back taxes?
Look at it like this if you go buy a car and Finance it for 5 years. At any time during that 5 years you can go pay the note off and get the title and they knock off all the Finance charges and interest? The pay off is always alot cheaper than if you make the payments. Why couldn't this work for back taxes too? I'm just trying to come up with something to get all the back taxes owed to this county?

#20.1.1.1 lamar on 10/07/09 at 08:11 AM [Reply]

Old boy you are right.There would definitely be law suits filed.Think about this though,wouldn't it be nice to see how many upstanding pillars of the community and local business leaders would be on that list?Before it's over the BOC will probably offer an amnesty program if it is in their power to do so.It may take an act of state legislature to be able to offer this.I'm just not sure.Take it easy RR.

#20.1.1.1.1 Resident Redneck on 10/07/09 at 08:35 AM [Reply]

yes lamar you are right but the up standing pillars of this community that think they are above the law and better than everyone else won't stand for that? To have their name published in the paper for not paying taxes that would make them look less than perfect?
I just thought of something else. Do you notice how the middle class and lower class citizens scratch and save to pay their taxes but the upper class that always have the money to pay their taxes DON'T?

#20.1.1.1.1.1 lamar on 10/07/09 at 04:13 PM [Reply]

Way of the world RR.The rich man plays while the poor man pays.

#20.1.1.1.1.1.1 Resident Redneck on 10/07/09 at 08:11 PM [Reply]

Yep lamar it's the way of the world it's always been that way and will always be that way? The poor man will always be paying for the rich to get richer. they ain't spending their money to pay their bills. The rich are always looking for tax breaks and ways around paying what they owe.

#20.2 Me on 10/08/09 at 01:43 PM [Reply]

Do you mean "idea"???

#20.2.1 Resident Redneck on 10/09/09 at 08:32 AM [Reply]

Me it could be idea or ideal depending on what part of the US you is be from?

#21 Anonymous on 10/01/09 at 10:10 AM [Reply]

Resident Redneck, Well, please excuse me but the BOA has nothing with collecting the taxes, the Tax Commissioner does that. Your idea is not half bad, but do you know, what is? The fact that we would have to jump thru so many political hoops due to the government, you probably would not even receive an answer from the DOR until next year some time. Then, you would have a legal battle on your hands, because citizens would say "Give me back my late penalty that I paid in June". Won't work.

#21.1 Agree with Lamar on 10/02/09 at 01:11 PM [Reply]

Publish those that owe taxes. ALSO ALSO : Publish those with conservation tax breaks and maybe public can give insight into parcels that do not fit this classification and maybe right in this view.

#21.2 Resident Redneck on 10/02/09 at 09:04 PM [Reply]

Oh Anonymous I am sorry but I thought the BOA was the ones who made the taxes I thought the BOA stood for Board of Assessors but it don't matter who is in charge of it, it could be the trash collectors for all I care but get the ball rolling and maybe some of these people would start paying?

#22 Anonymous on 10/02/09 at 10:25 PM [Reply]

Lamar, what is your opinion of county employees using county vehicles on county time working to help political candidates? :-)

#22.1 lamar on 10/06/09 at 08:51 AM [Reply]

You remember when the BOC voted to ban private use of county vehicles,right?I think that was a stab at Nash for the most part.But, the same arguements apply even more now.The county definitely cannot afford private use now.Do you have a specific incident? I would really like to know about it.

#23 Anonymous on 10/03/09 at 10:42 AM [Reply]

Conservation now that's a hot topic. I have experience in this subject trust me. The conservation law is partial to the taxpayer not the county. The conservation law was written for someones "buddy" probably long ago and now we all have the same benefits. Unfortunately, it takes millions off our tax digest which generates revenue for the county. The conservation problem is a huge problem but their is nothing that a typical citizen can do.
There are counties in the more suburban areas that are paying to get out of the program, why? Because they have businesses that want to come in and will pay high dollar for the land. Well, obviously, the majority of the land owners in this county do not want change, they would rather not see those business heading this way.
So, you can not have it both ways---you can have millions in revenue going out the window with the conservation program or have businesses in the county. Meanwhile, me, you, the middle class citizens are picking up the tab, and it's not cheap.

#24 MC Taxpayor on 10/05/09 at 08:09 AM [Reply]

Can a private citizen if attroney on this site look at conservation tax status and if illegal sue the land owner ?

Can paper publish those using this tax break that makes rest of us pay. If used correctly for farming. agriculture that is GREAT and CORRECT.

#25 Anonymous on 10/06/09 at 07:51 AM [Reply]

Well, I do not think you can sue the taxpayer for breach of contract because the contract is between the taxpayer and the state/county. The conservation program is very broad and gives some jursidication to the Board of Commissioners as of recently. That is why the BOC made a 10 acre min. which could be increased to 20+ whichever they desire.
The BOC is not going to "rock the boat" with land owners because of votes, you see.
You can publish those that recieve the conservation "break" but because they have a legal and binding contract with the county for conservation status, the best thing to do is, when the contract expires, make sure the BOA has valid information in order to renew their contract.
If anyone knows that their neighbor is in the conservation program that has a "business" that they are making revenue from, or renting a residence on the property and creating revenue from, or is not farming, tell the tax assessor's office. They need your help.
Then, they could possibly be taken out of the program and forced to pay penalities. This is a group effort and it takes everyone's cooperation.

#25.1 lamar on 10/06/09 at 06:45 PM [Reply]

Something all of us need to think about is how much it would cost the county and ultimately we the taxpayers to pursue the breaches in conservation and preferential assesment contracts.You all know just as well as I that people would sue left and right once they were forced with penalties for breach.(2 TIMES TAXES SAVED AT TIME OF BREACH)I would just about bet the assesor's office doesn't have the manpower to investigate the contracts properly.I just don't see an easy fix for something that should have been made right a long time ago.Either way we go, it's going to cost the county a lot of money.

#25.1.1 Resident Redneck on 10/07/09 at 08:47 AM [Reply]

Yes lamar it would cost the County alot of money they don't have and that's why the county does nothing?

#25.1.1.1 MC taxpayor redneck : on 10/07/09 at 01:18 PM [Reply]

To Resident Redneck : do you have conservation tax break status ? Just thought I would ask. I do not have it.

#25.1.1.1.1 Resident Redneck on 10/07/09 at 08:26 PM [Reply]

MC taxpayor redneck NO I do NOT get no tax breaks. You don't get them until you get rich and learn how to beat the system.

#25.2 lamar on 10/07/09 at 04:16 PM [Reply]

AMEN

#26 MC also taxpayor w/o conservation tax saving on 10/07/09 at 02:31 PM [Reply]

Can they cancel ( go to court such as BOA issue and if can show guidelines not followed get it cancelled ) all conservation thingie and make people re-apply and use maybe state / govt not followed in past and so lets re-apply and if not qualify no back or penality tax owed ?

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