Tax collections staying with county

By Kelly Young

kyoung@jacksonvilleprogress.com

A motion by County Judge Chris Davis died for lack of a second, as the Commissioners’ Court of Cherokee County decided Monday morning not to move the county’s tax collection responsibiltiies from the tax department to the Cherokee County Appraisal District.

Precinct 3 Commissioner Katherine Pinotti said she still had too many questions about the proposal to give it her support.

“I personally have a whole list of questions that I have not had the opportunity to get answers to. I’m not opposed to moving collections to the appraisal district; I just want to make sure that it is a prudent long-term investment,” Pinotti said. “This is a major decision that is going to impact every taxpayer in Cherokee County, and I can’t feel comfortable with doing it until I feel 100 percent confident that it is the best thing for the county.”

The other commissioners said they couldn’t support the motion simply because so many of their constituents were against it. According to Precinct 2 Commissioner Kevin Pierce, , Monday’s vote was “probably the most controversial issue” that he has faced in three terms as a commissioner.

“I’ve probably had more input from the citizens on this particular issue than any other issue that I have dealt with. Three weeks ago, people all across the country held tea parties where the speakers talked about being tired of electing officials who don’t listen to them,” he said. “They were tired of voicing their opinion — whether by e-mail, by telephone or in person — and then having their elected official blatantly do the opposite thing. With that said, this commissioner is going to vote in line with how the people I have spoken to have asked me to vote.”

Precinct 1 Commissioner Kelly Traylor and Precinct 4 Commissioner Byron Underwood shared Pierce’s sentiment by stating their votes echoed the consensus opinion of their constituents.

During the meeting, there was initially some talk of tabling the decision until another time, but Tax Assessor-Collector Linda Little asked the court to make a decision now.

“I have three people, and they know who they are, who are waiting for a decision. If the decision of the court is a ‘yes,’ they will be losing their jobs, and I don’t want to string them along any longer than I have to. You need to make your decision today,” Little said.

Judge Davis said he saw the issue as a matter of increasing efficiency and saving money, which the proposal would have done to a tune of $30,000 per year.

Citizens James Houser, Jimmy Foreman and Josie Schoolcraft spoke up during the meeting. Schoolcraft spoke in favor of the proposed change, while Houser, as chairman of the board of the Cherokee County Appraisal District, offered to answer any questions the court might have.

Foreman gave the court a list of details — regarding everything from interest computations to collection percentages to pending legislation — which he hoped the commissioners would consider during contract negations if they chose to move the county collections.

“This is a very, very important decision, and you need to have all the information available before you make a decision,” said Foreman, former veteran service officer for the county. “I’m not speaking for or against this issue as long as you go into it with your eyes wide open.”

In other business, Wes McClure of Garrett & Associates spoke to the commissioners about the county’s two construction projects completed earlier this spring.

The county contracted with Garrett & Associates last summer to construct a new evidence room at the Cherokee County Jail and to convert the drive-through at the justice of the peace’s office in Alto into a courtroom.

McClure, project manager of the work, said the guaranteed maximum price was set last year at $591,400. By utilizing value engineering and savings during the construction phase, the projects actually cost the county $516,125.33 — $75,274.67 less than the GMP. The work at both locations was finished March 4, two days ahead of schedule.

Commissioner Pierce and Sheriff James Campbell were both highly complimentary of the job done by Garrett & Associates, and Judge Davis said he would gladly provide the company with recommendations if needed.

“As far as my project is concerned, I couldn’t be happier with it,” Campbell said. “They were very easy to work with, and we have nothing but good things to say about them and the job they have done.”

In other business the court approved:

• laying utility lines on County Roads 2752 and 2829;

• the monthly report from Lynn Kelley, constable of Precinct 1;

• the monthly report from Jack White, constable of Precinct 2;

• the monthly report from Eddie Lee, constable of Precinct 3;

• acceptance of public records classes by Chris Davis, county judge;

• an interlocal agreement between Precinct 1 and Henry Cemetery to assist in replacing a culvert at the entrance to the cemetery;

• the sheriff’s department to take bids for the purchase of a used patrol car;

• a bid of $648,376.62 by Lone Star Equipment of Henderson for seal coat work in all four precincts;

• the Rusk Chamber of Commerce to use the courthouse lawn for the Fair on the Square event on Saturday, May 23;

• Precinct 4 selling its 6405 John Deere Tractor and 15’ Batwing Mower to the Cherokee County Airport for $15,000; and

• paying the bills.

The Cherokee County Commissioner’s Court regularly meets at 10 a.m. the second and fourth Monday of each month, at the county courthouse. The public is invited to attend all meetings.

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