Town Hall Meeting Is Held

The Taxpayers’ Watchdog Group (TWG) held a Town Hall meeting last Thursday at Thomas Persons Hall, hosted by Mary Patrick, with guest speaker Tax Commissioner Angela Walsh.

Mrs. Walsh opened the meeting saying tax collections this year are going better than last year. She read a poem that lightly explained what her job is which is to collect taxes. She doesn’t set the tax rate or the property value; she prepares the bills, sends them, and collects the money. The elected officials set the tax rate, and the Board of Assessors sets values.

Mrs. Walsh presented a handout showing tax rates in different areas of the county, and what goes to school, state, county, and city. Mrs. Walsh said she makes every effort to collect delinquent taxes, and will work with taxpayers to set up payment plans so that she doesn’t have to hold tax sales.

After Mrs. Walsh’s brief presentation, Ms. Patrick asked those in attendance to share agendas which had numerous issues listed that were expected to be discussed. She said that the TWG is interested in lower taxes, accountability and transparency. She went on to say Jasper has the highest taxes of any surrounding county, and presented a handout showing area tax rates.

Commission Chairman Gene Trammell pointed out that property values have dropped so much that the current tax rate doesn’t raise an individual’s tax bill, as the property value is so much lower. He said he pays the same amount he paid in 2009.

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Ms. Patrick asked what those present thought the major problem is in Jasper County. Several answers were suggested including lack of growth, taxing us to death, zoning, and the people in office don’t tell the truth.

Ms. Patrick suggested there is clearly a lack of communication with the public, or between the board and county manager and public.

She asked what the major problem was in the city of Monticello, and several people responded that there were no city elected officials there, indicating they don’t care. One resident went on to make remarks about the city manager and said the city council and manager will lie to you.

The cost of utilities was brought up, and Ms. Patrick pointed out that the city of Monticello is actually about average with the cost of utilities statewide.

Ms. Patrick asked the group if their county commissioner responds when contacted and received mixed results. Some said yes, and others said no.

After that, the discussion went to county roads. One resident complained that the Rollingwood Cove/Alcovy Shore area roads were horrible. She said she had lived there since 2009, and nothing had been done to the roads.

Mr. Trammell said that the county has 150 miles of paved road in neglect, and that many are beyond repair. Commissioner Doug Luke pointed out that people don’t want taxes going up but want better roads. He said it takes about $250,000 to pave a mile of road.

There was much discussion about the roads with the commissioners who were in attendance agreeing that the roads are in bad shape, but acknowledging their fiscal constraints.

There were several personal attacks, particularly on the county manager who was in attendance, but also on others. The meeting several times erupted into chaos with numerous people talking at once, and several people expressing their disgust with various portions of the county government.

Ms. Patrick was asked if she thought the county commissioners ran for office with the intent to screw the county over. She answered that she thought two of them ran to help Jasper County Water & Sewer Authority.

Towards the end of the meeting one man stood up and said the meeting was not a productive use of the citizens’ time. He said he heard individual and personal complaints and agendas. He said he’d like to see the organization (TWG) try to move forward. He said creating division and personal attacks will not solve problems.

Many of the people walked out of the meeting while the gentleman was talking, clearly disagreeing with his assessment.

Ms. Patrick responded that it seems to be the only way to get the attention of the commissioners. The meeting ended with plans to have another such meeting in a few months. Ms. Patrick asked for donations to help pay for the room.