Arnold Hollingsworth, a Montgomery County resident, told the Board of County Commissioners that rising property taxes are becoming “oppressive” for some households and urged the board to find a plan to address delinquency and outmigration.

Hollingsworth said his property taxes were nearly $8,000 a year on 18.3 acres and a home and that thousands of people in the county appeared on a delinquent-taxes list. “A little short of $8,000 a year property taxes on 18.3 acres and a house and a couple of buildings is pretty oppressive,” Hollingsworth said during the public-comment period. He added that if property taxes push people to leave or fall behind, the tax burden on remaining residents will increase.

The commission did not take formal action during public comment. Commissioners acknowledged awareness of delinquency figures but made no immediate policy commitments during the meeting. Hollingsworth told the commissioners he would pray for them and asked whether the board had a plan to address the problem; he also noted that current assessment formulas are based on appraised value and do not account for owners’ incomes.

Why it matters: Rising delinquencies and outmigration can reduce a tax base and increase per-household tax burden on those who remain. Hollingsworth urged the commissioners to identify underlying causes and consider changes; he said some residents may be unable to pay in future years if conditions do not change.

Background and details: Hollingsworth asked what happens to properties when taxes are unpaid; county staff described the statutory tax-sale process and noted several reasons taxpayers fall behind, including oversight by mortgage payers or changes in household circumstances. Hollingsworth and the commissioners discussed declines in some state reimbursements and other revenue reductions that increase pressure on the county budget, but no new policy or program was proposed during the meeting.

The record: Hollingsworth spoke during the public-comment portion of the agenda and identified his address and the size of his property. Commissioners heard but did not move to open a separate agenda item on property-tax relief or reassessment during this meeting.

Next steps: Hollingsworth asked the board to find a plan to address the issue; the transcript shows no subsequent motion, referral or staff assignment on the record at this meeting.