The Vance County Board of Commissioners voted Monday to change the tax revaluation cycle from 8 years to 6 years.
Commissioner Tommy Hester made the motion to shorten the tax cycle, and several other commissioners chimed in to express support. Commissioner Dan Brummitt voted against the motion.
“I understand the concept, but we’re not there yet,” Brummitt said during discussion of the issue at the Feb. 16 meeting.
“I understand we need to be talking about it, but we’re not there yet,” he reiterated, adding that the local market had stabilized somewhat. The most recent tax revaluation and subsequent higher tax bills, fueled by what Brummitt called a “market anomaly,” was no longer occurring, contributing to the more stable prices.
“I don’t think now is the time to do it,” he said.
County Manager C. Renee Perry brought up the issue during her report to commissioners. Perry said she would expect the price tag for a typical revaluation to come in at about $695,000.
The most recent revaluation cost about $900,000 because commissioners had asked for a full measurement of all properties which required more time – and money – to complete.
Perry said the county could expect revenue of between $1.1 million and $1.5 million every 6 years.
“Of course, there’s a cost associated with it, but we would realize revenue quicker than we what we would normally realize revenue,” Perry stated.
Brummitt cited an increased county budget over the last few years and has said previously that he would like to see the county spend less.
“Our budget has gone from $47 million to $68 million in four years and our taxpayers are hurting,” he said. “We need to do whatever we can to try to cut the costs for our taxpayers.”
Hester said nobody , himself included, likes to pay taxes. “But going eight years was a big sticker shock – a big, big sticker shock.”
Health care at the county detention center was also part of Perry’s report to commissioners.
She recommended, and the commissioners approved, that Southern Health Partners once again provide health care for detainees at the county jail.
The present provider, ACH, wanted more than $1 million to continue – up from about $400,000 in the current agreement and wanted to provide 24/7 services. Perry said this service is not a service the jail needs.
After speaking with several other providers, Perry said she recommended Southern Health Partners to begin services in early March.
This company had provided health care to the jail until a few years ago, citing safety concerns as the main reason for pulling out.
The county will pay Southern Health Partners just more than $435,000 to provide the necessary care to detainees. Because the company also works in nearby counties, it will be easier to get coverage when necessary.
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