County digest takes a dive

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Friday, May 6. 2011

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Madison County’s overall property value is expected to dip nine to 10 percent this year. That means local governments can expect less revenue off local property taxes — unless they raise tax rates to offset the drop.

Madison County chief appraiser Robin Baker said House Bill 346, which was passed in 2010, has greatly affected local values. That law mandates that the sale price determines the value of a property for the first year after a sale.

“(HB) 346 is making us put the sales value on it for the first year,” said Baker. “So we’ve lost a lot of value there, because of the foreclosures. A home we may have had $150,000 on was foreclosed and it sold out of foreclosure for $70,000. Well, we have to carry the $70,000 for the first year. And that goes for commercial, residential, vacant land, everything.”

While the overall property values in the county are going down, individual property owners may not see a drop.

“That doesn’t mean that every property owner’s value in the county is dropping by nine or 10 percent,” said Baker. “That’s a misconception that most people are going to have when they hear that the digest is down.”

County commission chairman Anthony Dove announced the digest dip April 21 during the BOC’s discussion of proposed timeclocks for county departments. Dove gave an overview of county finances at the start of that meeting.

Dove noted that the county budget was $15 million in 2008 and was reduced to $13.69 million in 2010, before being raised to $14 million this year.

The chairman said there were a variety of reasons the budget went up in 2011, including rising health care costs, but he noted that no tax hike was needed to cover that budget increase, since the county had made significant cuts the previous two years and had considerable funds in reserves. Dove pointed out that the county’s fund balance never dipped below $5 million in 2010 and that the BOC has no debt.

“Debt strangles a government during tough economic times,” said Dove.

The chairman said Madison County is in good fiscal shape, while many other governments aren’t right now. He praised county employees and department heads for making cuts.

“We came to you and asked you to cut back and, by George, you did it,” said Dove.

The chairman said the county must find a new facility in 2011 for its Fine Finish program, which provides day-time services to mentally and physically challenged adults. He said the further cuts will be needed this year due to the decreased digest. Meanwhile, the county will need to spend money on Fine Finish.

“We’ve come a long way, but there’s still a long way to go,” said Dove.

County commissioner Jim Escoe questioned whether the $5 million in surplus funds was all from county cutbacks.

“How much of the $5 million was back taxes collected?” asked Escoe.

The district 5 commissioner said that collecting back taxes, better EMS collections and people being taxed too much all contributed to the high reserves.

“Y’all have done a good job (of cutting back), but all that didn’t come from cutting,” said Escoe. “It comes from overtaxing too.”

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#1 Ben Had on 05/06/11 at 07:47 AM [Reply]

I like Escoe,he sounds like a straight shooter. Dove,on the other hand,sounds like a noodle back politician,by George!
His dictator-like stance against allowing a vote on Sunday Sales may come back to haunt him in the next election cycle.
For no more money than these guys make (pennies) for their service,it seems to me they would be more interested in doing the right thing instead of pandering for votes. Must not be the paycheck that motivates them,rather the kickbacks and under the table favors that the rest of us don't know about.
I kinda hope that's the case,otherwise it's hard to justify their comments and decisions.
I have a new-found respect for both Escoe and Thomas,and yes, Escoe is in my district.

#2 Church Goer on 05/06/11 at 10:41 AM [Reply]

Taking from others is theft. Those of you who have a conservation tax break "just because" and do not really engage in AG business how does it feel to be a thief. Your savior will judge you one day.

#2.1 kel on 05/06/11 at 04:23 PM [Reply]

Little dramatic don't ya think?

#2.1.1 Redneck on 05/06/11 at 04:38 PM [Reply]

Don't think article or Church person dramatic. Maybe you dramatic. Hope you are not a thief as there will be a time one day when we will be judged more than what we own here on earth. Maybe you get the tax breaks huh.

#2.1.1.1 lk on 05/09/11 at 12:50 PM [Reply]

"Don't think article or Church person dramatic. Maybe you dramatic"...............
Why talk like this?

#3 Anonymous on 05/06/11 at 12:15 PM [Reply]

Dove makes over 80K Pretty good for a place like MC.

#3.1 Editor's Note: on 05/06/11 at 03:08 PM [Reply]

Editor's Note: BOC chairman Anthony Dove's salary is $68,190.

#3.1.1 E.J. on 05/06/11 at 08:30 PM [Reply]

Thank you for not allowing erroneous information here. I don't know why people think they can just pull stuff out of the air like that whenever it suits their purposes when it's easily public knowledge.

#3.1.1.1 TO EJ on 05/08/11 at 03:00 PM [Reply]

Investigate tax issue

#3.1.2 MC paper reader on 05/07/11 at 01:01 PM [Reply]

Is the $68,190 inclusive of car expenses, travel expenses, any disability or health insurance and so forth ? Just thought would ask as some thought that benefits at times is 20 to 30% salary costs.

#3.1.2.1 Redneck on 05/13/11 at 01:19 PM [Reply]

With the fringes on top of salary how much does Dove make ? I would like to know.

#4 TiredOfSameOldSong on 05/07/11 at 09:03 AM [Reply]

Turning every single article about Madison County into a anti-conservation-tax-break soapbox is getting old. I get it. People are getting this break who don't deserve it. If you have proof, turn them in. Call the tax accessor. Call Fox 5. Call your congressman. Call your senator. Call the governor. Call Barack Obama. But stop whining. Did anybody ever tell you life wouldn't be full of unfairness and injustice?? Nope, didn't think so. And before somebody posts behind me saying "TiredOfSameOldSong must be getting the conservation tax break on his/her property taxes", let me be proactive and clear it up for you. WE DO GET THE TAX BREAK! The largest portion of our yearly income is from farming, and we will continue to get the break for as long as it is allowed. As for those who are getting the same break by lying about the use of their land, I say if they can live with it, I can live without it. You need to learn to live with it too, and if you can't, do something about it!

#4.1 TO farmer on 05/09/11 at 04:20 PM [Reply]

We have called and tried. Others have just like finally getting and note I say finally getting our tax commissioner to go after deliquent back taxes that no small feat by the way. Problem in our county if you stand up and complain loudly you get bullied. Sam Bruce Road many feel bullied by that. You say life not fair well my people raise corn-beans as in soybeans and they get help and need it. In their location it seems conservation tax may be applied more correctly. Seems to that a farmer family like yours would be the ones leading this charge to correct people doing the wrong thing. Many people find it EASY to live by lying and stealing and affairs on their spouse. That said many changes done only after many many complain. The tax for conservation tax thing that (I do not get but believe could but not farming so do not) has to change. Why do you not call DOVE and see what he is saying. BET you will not be the first. I have not raised my voice on this but will dear Farmer. Your callous post not like my family who in AG business and watch the AG business station that I can barely stand to watch by the way. Just surprised that you are not in line to get this fixed.

#4.2 Another MC view on 05/12/11 at 01:55 PM [Reply]

So Farmer : You can live with it if they can live with it. Guess you can live with people abusing drugs and drunk driving if they can live with it. If you know of people getting this break farmer and do nothing about it then you are not that honest and most farmers or chicken growers I know seem honest. My 2 cent. Live with it you note makes me think about Bill Clinton and hearing people note if he can live it then they can. BS.

#4.3 Farm subsidies ? on 05/13/11 at 01:13 PM [Reply]

SameSong : OMG : SameSong expression here that at school. Guess when money get real tight and need funds then subsidies cut and this tax break done away with you can BLAME YOURSELF. Hey just capitalized thing like you did. So to you who can live with it the posting about drunk driver and it he or she kills someone then if they can live with it you can. Taking money from those that are honest and loose everything as they tried to pay their way and then turn to bottle is OK with you as if they can live with it you can. What a shame your view is. Tell your church members or minister you feel that way and bet someone will try to help you.

#4.3.1 tiredofsameoldsong on 05/14/11 at 05:21 AM [Reply]

Read more carefully and don't misquote me. I said "if they can live with it, I can live without it". The 'it' being money. If some people can live with money obtained fraudulently, I can live without money obtained fraudulently. I can't help people lying and cheating government. I'm pretty sure it has been going on since the beginning of time. This is no different than someone lying and getting SS disability when they are perfectly capable of working (plenty of those out there), or using those atm cards recently on the news intended to make sure kids get fed and housed at liquor stores and strip clubs.

I'm just tired of reading the same thing over and over about the tax break. If you know it's being done, do something about it and turn them in. Someone did a couple weeks ago and Fox 5's I-Team went out and asked the property owner how he justified calling his fancy estate a farm to get the tax break. He even sat down with that county's tax assessor. I'm not sure if anything was accomplished, but at least someone stopped whining for a few minutes and did something about it by making a few phone calls.

Farm subsidies are a whole different ballgame. We dropped all our contact with the local FSA office years ago, and don't accept any of the money floating around. You would be very surprised to find out who does here in Madison County, and how much they're getting Maybe it will even give you something new to whine about.

http://farm.ewg.org/region.php?fips=13000

Just scroll down and pick a Georgia county. Interesting reading.

#4.3.1.1 MC reader on 05/14/11 at 09:14 AM [Reply]

"You need to learn to live with it too" implies you can live with it to me also. I see other posters view. Your new post suggests maybe from all this posting we all have learned or seen the other view point. The Ch 5 thing I believe will have people fired. Takes time to work thru that. Paying school tax in MC is for children who one day will be those in the work force and they need proper education.

#4.3.1.2 MC taxed person on 05/14/11 at 02:14 PM [Reply]

"You need to learn to live with it too" : too means ALSO. Implies in reality when I read it that you are living with it. My view as teacher. BUT seems your second post less assertive so possible you see what others are saying. That is good just as your post are. You like the subsidies that I really do not understand well if enough people get unjustified conservation tax breaks ( not crop type subsidies )they in time will come for farmer's needed AG subsidies. I will call county people as you note but in past when I have I am told nothing can be done or not many people calling. I called on delinquent taxes and told not many called and later learned that not the case. Thank you for your post.

#4.3.1.3 Miss Redknock on 05/15/11 at 01:33 PM [Reply]

I too thought farmer saying he could live with it if others do but on reading again I see his point maybe meaning something else but like my spouse forgetting anniversary and then noting several days later over dinner he planned it that way. Maybe he did and maybe he did not.

#5 lamar on 05/08/11 at 09:45 PM [Reply]

I have known Jim Escoe since he served on the BOA. He is a good man and I think he tries to be fair in his opinions. No matter what I said in previous posts, with the digest facing a shortfall, the County needs to look into special assessments. Also delinquent mobile home taxes.For the most part,I think our commissioners have done a decent job of providing services during rough economic times.Of course, things would be a little better if the Sam Bruce p---ing contest had not happened.E.J., contact the BOA, and your commissioner,Anthony Dove also.If things are bare bones in the County now, what services will we lose next?

#5.1 DMH on 05/13/11 at 04:27 PM [Reply]

Lamar what do you mean special assessments ? Learning about this but not sure what all I am hearing means. Thank you.

#6 Redneck on 05/09/11 at 11:42 AM [Reply]

Gosh do not get me on Sam Bruce Road Mr. Lamar. The petition waving guy did not help the so call pixxing issue in my view but the so called citizen up roar did take the election from Cartwright in many of our views and maybe why Pethel has noted he will not run again. I say run petition guy and watch Cartwright beat him. Got suckered there I am afraid.

I have seen where someone posted the parcels that got the so call conservation tax. Someone like EJ needs to go by and bet he finds out some just do not fit this tax break. Like when tax commissioner suggested naming tax deliquent parcels would not work. Pressure finally made her do that and we collected lots of back funds from people that could pay.

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County digest takes a dive

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