Clay County officials investigate Amanda Reeves' employment amid taxpayer confusion

The Clay County Commission Business Session held on February 20, 2025, focused on a significant discussion regarding a taxpayer's request related to property assessment issues. The meeting revealed confusion surrounding an individual named Amanda Reeves, who was initially thought to be associated with the Clay County Assessor's Office.

During the session, Tracy Baldwin, the Clay County Assessor, stated that she had never heard of Amanda Reeves working in her office, despite a commissioner presenting evidence of email correspondence with someone by that name. Baldwin clarified that taxpayers sometimes confuse the Assessor's Office with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), which could have contributed to the misunderstanding.

The discussion highlighted the importance of accurate communication between taxpayers and the county, particularly regarding address changes. Baldwin noted that the county had sent assessment notices to a previous address for a taxpayer named Paige, who had not updated her address with the county. This led to a motion to deny the taxpayer's request for relief, which was supported by other commissioners.

The meeting also included inquiries about the legitimacy of Amanda Reeves' employment status. Kevin Shaw, the IT director, confirmed that an Amanda Reeves currently works in the courts but could not find any records of her in the Assessor's Office. This raised questions about whether the individual in question had changed roles or if there was a mix-up in communication.

The session concluded with a motion to deny the request for property assessment relief, emphasizing the need for taxpayers to keep their information updated with the county to avoid similar issues in the future. The discussions underscored the ongoing challenges in maintaining clear communication between county offices and the public.