Taxpayer battles county over unpaid tax penalties

In a recent government meeting, a contentious discussion arose regarding tax notification issues faced by resident David Moore, who claimed he was unaware of owed taxes after moving from Clay County. Moore stated he had not received any tax bills or notifications due to a change of address, despite having updated his information with the post office. He expressed frustration over the penalties incurred, arguing that he should not be held responsible for taxes he was never informed about.

Barbara O'Reilly, the county collector, countered that the county had sent out tax bills to Moore's previous address, which were returned undeliverable. She explained that the county had no record of his address change and that it was the responsibility of residents to notify the assessment department of such changes. The commissioners acknowledged the complexities of the situation, noting that the county had followed the proper procedures in attempting to notify Moore.

Commissioner Lawson highlighted the timeline of events, indicating that the tax bills were sent out months after Moore's move, and questioned the effectiveness of the postal service in forwarding mail. The discussion revealed a gap in communication between the county and residents regarding address changes, with commissioners expressing their dissatisfaction with the current notification process.

Moore requested a waiver of the penalties for the years he was not informed, but the commissioners indicated that without evidence of negligence on the county's part, they lacked the authority to grant such a request. The meeting concluded with Moore seeking guidance on the appeal process, as he expressed a desire to contest the penalties further. The case underscores ongoing challenges in tax notification systems and the responsibilities of both residents and local government in maintaining accurate records.