Several community members gathered in the commission meeting room for the annual budget and Revenue Neutral Rate (RNR) hearings on Monday, Aug. 24.
Multiple community members expressed concerns regarding their property valuations as they have seen high increases in recent years.
“I started a collision repair business because I believed in this community enough to invest in it,” stated Nick Schaffer. “I took a property that needed work, put my time and my own money into it, and tried to make it look better and become a productive business in this town,” he said. Schaffer, purchased the building located at 819 N. Main St. to house his business, Greenwood County Auto Center. He noted that when he purchased the building, it was appraised at $15,680, but it jumped to $51,990 the second year. Schaffer noted that improving the property was resulting in a substantially higher tax burden. “Are we unintentionally creating a system where the safest financial decision is to do nothing?” he asked. “Because if improving your property means your taxes can increase dramatically, while a deteriorating property next door can sit there year after year, what incentive does that create?” he continued.
County Appraiser Shawna Griffitts stated that state requirements for market values dictate how property and assets are assessed. It was noted that Greenwood County has been low on values in recent years, and was listed as out-of-compliance with the state. The county is currently in compliance; however, are still on the low side for market values, she said.
Commissioners Heard Concerns Regarding Property Valuations During Budget Hearing . . . . . . . . .
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Griffitts then noted that residents can appeal their appraisals by filing an appeal with the county appraisal office within 30 days of the mailing date on the valuations, which are typically mailed in March.
It was also noted that those with personal property that doesn’t match the valuation paperwork are urged to contact the Appraiser’s office to update records; or taxes will be assessed as noted.
Resident Tom Taggart also addressed the council regarding high valuations for properties and ultimately noted that the high valuations may force residents to leave Greenwood County. It was shared that residents within city limits of Eureka and Madison can utilize the Neighborhood Revitalization Program (NRP). The NRP is a local government and community initiative that offers property tax rebates to encourage home remodeling, commercial improvements, and new construction in designated areas.
County resident Frank McCollum expressed concerns regarding spending at the county and national levels. He noted the increase in the budget “but not seeing much out of that outside of wages.”
Additional residents echoed sentiments before the commission approved exceeding the RNR and approved the budget with an 81.023 mil levy.
Routine Business
Brief discussion was held regarding the pay scale resolutions, with the commission noting that a few items still need to be cleaned up before approving the resolutions. The commission approved moving the EMS Director position from Level DD to Level BB on the pay scale, with Preston Evenson voting no. No additional discussion was held. By moving this position, the proposed pay scale for that position will not match the recent market study conducted earlier this year. For someone who has served in that position for 20-24 years (the current EMS Director has served in that capacity for 21 years), Level DD ranges from $68,837.2480,618.06, with Level BB ranging from $55,873.63$65,435.86. Level CC ranges from $62,873.1773,633.30.
Darren Booth with Freedom Claims Management Inc. (FCMI) provided a six-month health insurance review, noting that the county should expect an increase from Blue Cross Blue Shield next year.
The commission held a 10-minute executive session for personnel matters (no subject was given) with Appraiser Shawna Griffitts and McKenzi Butler. No action was taken. Road and Bridge Administrative Assistant Kassie Lazar presented an agreement from Elite Engineering Services (EES) for signature. The EES agreement was for the construction and engineering of the bridge near 250th Street and H Road. The commission, along with Clerk Deann Mc-Caffree, signed the agreement. It was also noted that the county is waiting on engineers to provide the legal description on the bridge near U Road and 100th Street, to allow the county to acquire the right-of-way from the Corps of Engineers before proceeding with replacement.
Noxious Weed Director Debi Selfridge presented two bids for tractors to the commission. No action was taken regarding the bids from Wichita Tractor or KanEquip; but, Commissioner Roy Ballard expressed frustration with driving the tractors to and from mowing sites, instead of hauling the equipment. It was noted that all CDL drivers may be busy at the time of relocating equipment, which is why the issue may arise. “We have to prioritize some of this stuff, or it just isn’t going to get done,” Ballard stated. He further noted that an owner/operator would haul their equipment to the site instead of adding unnecessary wear and tear to it.
County Treasurer Stacie Pearse and employee Staci Crumrine returned to the commission to ask for approval on the proposal to outsource tax statements. They noted that since presenting to the commission, other offices have spoken with them as they too could see a 21-cent savings per envelope if they moved forward with the outsourcing. Commissioner Judd Everitt stated he wasn’t in favor of outsourcing work as he believed it could be done with current staff, and noted that a former treasurer noted it took approximately three days to complete the task rather than weeks as previously noted. Further discussion was tabled until next week’s meeting.
The Aug. 17 meeting minutes, along with special payables for Aug. 24, totaling $300.75, were approved.
Greenwood County Commissioners will hold their next weekly meeting on Monday, Aug. 31 at 9 a.m. Due to the Labor Day holiday, the commissioners will hold their routine weekly meeting the first week of September on Tuesday, Sept. 8, at 9 a.m.
