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Tax assessor records review urged after past abatements were not entered into county system
Summary
County staff said past property tax abatements granted for certain facilities were not entered into the tax assessor's computer system; the tax office found records in paper files and the commission discussed improved coordination so abatements are captured in the assessor's database going forward.
MILLER COUNTY — County staff reported to commissioners that property tax abatements granted in prior years for several facilities were not entered into the tax assessor’s computer system, complicating the assessor’s ability to track exemptions and payments.
The county received a letter from the assessor’s office saying prior abatements — including ones for a plant and a facility described in the packet — were not properly entered into the county tax system. A county presenter said staff had spoken with Mike Middleton and that paper records for at least three items (Ford Place, the olive plant, and a helicopter/survival flight arrangement) were located in folders but had not been added to the assessor’s database.
“The abatements are not put in the computers like they were supposed to,” the presenter said. Staff urged that, moving forward, if the commission meets with a company to consider an abatement the assessor’s office should be included so records are entered contemporaneously.
The presenter noted that in two instances the assessor’s office later located contracts or physical files and updated their records; for the helicopter, staff provided the contract showing a pilot payment in lieu of taxes. Commissioners asked whether historic minutes could recreate past deal specifics; staff said older minutes were summaries and did not include the detailed terms.
Ending: Commissioners directed improved coordination with the assessor’s office for future abatements so the county record and assessor database align; no retroactive tax adjustments were proposed at the meeting.
