Board of Equalization and Review
When the Tax Manager rejects a property owner’s request for a reduction (or increase) in the property tax valuation the property owner can appeal to the Board of Equalization for a final opinion. Four property owners (three private & one corporation) were scheduled to present their arguments for a change in the value of their property for tax purposes. One naturally assumes the property owner will either represent themselves or hire a representative to argue their reason for the change before the Board of Equalization. None of the three private parties were present to argue why their property tax value was wrong. Porcha Brook’s, the county’s tax manager, presented their objections to the Board and the Board denied all three private party requests. The one public corporation was Maria Parham Hospital (MPH). MPH’s representatives were to two ‘Philadelphia lawyers’ (Mark and Tom). Although the two presented well reasoned arguments for a lower property tax value they both missed the course on following the rules when evaluating property tax values. These two ‘Philadelphia lawyers’ met Ms. Brooks’ for the first time at the meeting in front of the Board. Had the big time lawyers taken the time to visit with Ms. Brooks in person the hospital could have saved a truck load of money on property appraisals crafting their well reasoned argument and flashy spreadsheets. The highlight of the entire Board meeting was watching the ‘Philadelphia lawyers’ sparing with Ms. Brooks. Ms. Brooks was ready for every challenge and Jonathan Care, the county attorney had her back on the legality of property tax valuation. Mr. Care explained to the ‘Philadelphia lawyers’ at least three times just how property tax valuations are governed in Vance County five times. Chairman Garrison, along with Commissioners Brummitt and Hester actively guided the debate trying to settle the issue. The ‘Philadelphia lawyers’ did not want to understand their reasoning is flawed. Commission Brummitt moved for a vote and the Board denied MPH’s claim for a lower property tax valuation. Most likely there will be a rematch in the future between Vance County and a pack of ‘Philadelphia lawyers’ who were paid mighty sums to fight for the profits of businesses.
Deryl Von Williams, Vance County Learning Center
Ms. von Williams made a request for a letter from the Board in support of a charter school. She suggested everyone look at her web-site. I did and it links to something called The Nonprofit Center Network. This network is about “a community of nonprofit and philanthropic leaders and professionals from the financial, real estate, and public sectors dedicated to sharing their knowledge and networks for creating and operating quality nonprofit workspace.” Her request was passed on to the education committee for discussion with the School Board.
Public Hearing regarding a re-zoning request
Jordan McMillien presented the request to allow a property owner to change the zoning of their property. Commission Wilder said he was a neighbor of the property owner. Following the Board’s approval to grant the re-zoning Commissioner Brummitt moved to wave the $250 fee. Commissioner Brummitt’s as a gesture of good will to this property owner and entrepreneur for not making the same change prior to the implementation of county zoning five months ago. No other Commissioner, including the neighbor, seconded the motion.
Three quick notes
Ms. Kay Fields has announced her resignation as County Social Services Director. Those are big shoes for someone to fill.
The site for the new animal shelter sounds like a first class location. If other issues in the county were addressed as the animal shelter is, then many of our County’s issues would be on a better path.
The Sheriff Department was given approval to buying thirteen new cars. I hope they are stealth equipped to detect criminal activities as it is happening.