March 20 Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda
The Meeting Starts at 7:00 pm. * You must sign up before the meeting starts if you want to make a "citizen comment."
Sorry - no meeting agenda has been posted to the Polk website for this mtg. On the agenda:
- Citizens comments (more citizens located next to TIEC are expected to speak regarding the jump they've recently seen in their Tax valuations ( from $5,500/acre to $20,000/acre on raw land for many people on Moore Rd. and surrounding area)
- Turner Shoals Dam (lake Adger) Update - David Odom
- Waterline Extension Policy Review - David Odom
- Amendment to resolution establishing Polk board of Equalization and Review
- Volunteer Boards vote
- Commissioner Comments
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March 6 BOC Meeting Recap
By: Libby Morris - reluctant reporter.
Here is a link to the article the Tryon Daily did: http://www.tryondailybulletin.com/2017/03/09/residents-say-revaluation-is-driving-natives-out-of-county/
The room was packed, and citizens present were restless and upset..
Citizen comments were focused on only two topics:
- Veteran's Services Director position (3 people spoke):
* 2.Tax revaluation comments:
Every speaker was angry, self-contained and elegant with simplicity.
- It is all about land value, not about structures.
- Whoever (commissioners) gave direction to the appraisers were looking for revenue.
- We need to appraise the reappraisal.
- The fancy jail and TIEC are driving up our taxes. Not one farmer in the county cares about horses. This will eventually drive the hard working blue collar folks out of the county.
- We didn't ask for TIEC and we don't want to pay for it.
- When TIEC was established the county was told of the advantages it would bring, not that we would be driven out because of their presence.
- The citizens voted for the new commissioners because they were sure you would do the right thing county wide.
- The commissioners need to help. Do any of the commissioners think the county is practicing fair market value?
- Family land values (especially generational land) were hard hit. These people can't afford to pay taxes on land that has escalated appraisals of 100% to 300%.
- It looks like the county is trying to run off the old landowners.
- One landowner said she would now have to pay more in taxes than she paid for the land she lives on.
- We have heard of other places where the equestrians came in and put the burden on family land.
County Property Revaluation Update
Melissa Bowlin (Tax Administrator) and Brandon Highsmith (Property Appraiser)
- The presentation (tone, language and body language) was highly defensive.
- The property appraisal team have not worked in Polk County before.
- The commissioners have not yet approved the revaluation.
- There is an appeal process per the NC guidelines.
2 - Appeal to the Board of Equalization and Review (E&R Board) in Polk County (made up of Polk County citizens).
3 - Appeal to property tax commissioner in Raleigh.
- Our last revaluation was 8 years ago (later citizen comment: inflation since then was ~11%), which accounts for the large change).
- The Board of Equalization & Review has 5 vacancies.
- Brandon Highsmith said his job is to review the revaluation team and process.
Melton: I urge our citizens to see Melissa Bowlin.
Gasperson: Take documentation to the appeal.
The Commissioners will try to keep the budget revenue neutral which is the best they can do with the county budget which has not yet been set (helpful & realistic approach).
Yoder: "I feel your pain" and "I want you to know."
Chairman Melton was so compassionate that he told the audience he was breaking his long standing rule of no public comments without prior sign up and would allow anyone to speak after standing and stating their name. Comments continued for about 20 minutes.
The Board of Commissioners unanimously approved the bylaws of the proposed Fire and Rescue Advisory Committee (FRAC"). he FRAC will be a five-member board that acts as a liaison between the fire departments and Rescue Squad and the Commissioners. Applications for the FRAC are now being accepted. For more information about the FRAC and FRAC membership requirements, click here.
Paul Lozier of Moseley Architects presented construction pictures and drawings of the new law enforcement center (jail), including a drawing of the interior layout of he facility.March 20 Board of Commissioners Meeting Agenda