Jackson county collection department having problems with property taxes

http://www.msnbc.com/local/KSHB/168871.asp

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), February 16, 2000

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Jackson County Collection Department having Problems with Property Taxes

THOUSANDS OF JACKSON County residents are having trouble with their personal property taxes. Theyve paid them but they just cant prove it. Long lines and plenty of frustrations are now common place at the Jackson County Collections Department.

Officials said the problem is due to a computer glitch that is showing thousands of homeowners property taxes as delinquent even though they have been paid. The departments computer system was upgraded but its required extra training and lots of trial and error. Other glitches include a printing problem and an error with a processing computer that affected some twelve thousand taxpayers. But the departments said they are making changes, added more staff and are upgrading their website. They said the want to have taxpayers eventually estimate their own vehicle taxes and get many of their questions answered on-line.

Officials said there are still 3,000 payments that need to be processed and those should be finished by Friday February 18. In the meantime, the department is issuing temporary receipts.

If you are having a problem call Jackson County Executive Katherine Shields office at 816-881-3333.

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), February 16, 2000.

http://www .roanoke.com/roatimes/news/story88568.html

Wednesday, February 16, 2000 Neighbors don't want bio-research farm 200 Craig residents demand that top official resign

Critics also complained of County Administrator Elizabeth Frank's ongoing fights with the revenue commissioner.

By C.S. MURPHY THE ROANOKE TIMES

NEW CASTLE -- Almost 200 Craig County residents want their locality's chief executive to resign.

They're frustrated both with the way Craig County Administrator Elizabeth Frank has managed Pharming Healthcare's proposal to build a bio-research farm in the area and with a disagreement Frank is having with the county's commissioner of the revenue.

The county's personal property tax bills haven't been mailed to residents even though payments were to be due in December.

"I can no longer see how Craig County can continue to allow Elizabeth Frank to destroy this county," said resident Barbara Strickland, who collected 183 signatures demanding Frank's "immediate dismissal or resignation." She gave the petition to Craig County supervisors Tuesday night.

"In this line of work, if I do my job, I'm going to make some people mad," Frank said after the meeting. "I report to the Board of Supervisors, and if they're not satisfied with that [performance], they'll address it with me."

The supervisors approved a second extension Tuesday giving residents until March 15 to pay their taxes, provided they receive their bills by the first of the month.

"I'm just tired of postponing and postponing," said Supervisor Steve DeVinney. He said longtime Commissioner of the Revenue Becky Price should have used a new computer the county installed in November to help get bills out by this month.

Price said the new computer was installed later than county officials believe and that her office has been exceptionally busy in recent months because the county is implementing a twice-a-year billing system and recently redrew district lines.

"I don't mind taking responsibility," Price said, "but this was not handled properly."

About 150 residents -- a large crowd by Craig County standards -- loudly applauded Price on Tuesday after she explained the delay.

Price finished her emotional statement by pointing out that, by state law, the board and Frank have no authority over her office.

Price and Frank have been engaged in a sometimes-public battle for months over Price's spending and office procedures.

Frank said state Tax Department records show that Price has been late completing the county's real estate and personal property tax books every year since 1995.

"The only issue I have is that the work get done on time," Frank said.

Strickland, however, said Craig County residents are satisfied with Price's performance.

"She's been here for 16 years," she said. "We wouldn't have re-elected her if we didn't think she could do the job. They should stay out of her office and let her do her job." Send This Story To A Friend

-- Homer Beanfang (Bats@inbellfry.com), February 16, 2000.