Assessor presents property tax exonerations and approves vehicle assessment apportionment in divorce case

Assessor Larry Hess told the Berkeley County Commission his office submitted six personal-property tax exonerations totaling $1,147.52 and 11 real-estate exonerations totaling $12,168, citing office errors such as incorrect tax class. Commissioners approved both sets of exonerations by voice vote. Hess also requested approval to apportion vehicle assessments following a divorce decree: three vehicles with a combined assessed value of $44,340 were to be split so Colleen Landy would be billed for a Honda Pilot assessed at $16,845 and John Landy would be billed for the remaining two vehicles totaling $27,004.95. The commission approved the apportionment to issue separate bills. Why this matters: exonerations adjust county tax rolls and change the tax liability recorded for property owners. Apportionment following a divorce changes which individual receives county tax bills, which can affect collections and owner responsibility. Details and next steps: assessor's requests were included on the agenda and approved by the commission with standard voice votes; the assessor will issue the corrected bills and apportionments per the final decree.