In a follow-up to recent criticism aimed at the recent tax-rate increase adopted by Vance County by a concerned citizens group, Manager C. Renee Perry told WIZS News Wednesday that she is working with County Attorney Jonathan Care to determine next steps.
Representatives of the Concerned Citizens of Vance County addressed the board of commissioners during the public comment portion of the Oct. 7 meeting. Commissioners only receive comments during that time and do not respond.
“…we haven’t decided what action to take as far as a response goes,” Perry said in an email to WIZS.
In remarks during that public comment period, citizen Caroline Burnette asserted that the commissioners were violating public meeting laws by not having written minutes of the June 13 work session. Minutes are supposed to be voted on or adopted by a majority of the board, she said.
Perry said minutes of that June 13 work session will be taken to the board at its Nov. 4 meeting for approval; once approved, the clerk to the board will post the minutes to the website.
“Historically, official minutes have NOT been kept for budget work session, work sessions, or committee meetings,” Perry told WIZS. “Moving forward, we will keep official minutes for all budget work sessions, work sessions, and committee meetings.”
Burnette also said she wanted commissioners to allow county residents to pay the taxes they paid in 2023 and “to direct the tax administrator to take no action on delinquent taxes if the 2023 amount has been paid.”
Perry said commissioners “have not indicated that’s a direction they want to take.”
The foreclosure process can begin when a property owner is two years behind in paying taxes.
According to information on the Vance County Tax Administration’s webpage, tax bills not paid by Jan. 6 will be charged a 2 percent interest on unpaid taxes due.
CLICK PLAY!
