Buncombe County board waives $769.66 late‑filing penalty for equipment rental company

At its meeting July 14, 2025, the Buncombe County Board of Equalization and Review voted to waive a $769.66 late‑listing penalty assessed to General Equipment Rental Inc. after the company filed its business personal property extension one day late.

The board’s decision followed testimony from Craig Franzie, who said he runs General Equipment Rental and that the business missed the Jan. 31 extension deadline after discovering embezzlement by the company’s bookkeeper amid post‑storm cleanup and other disruptions. Franzie told the board, "I just asked that I can be given a one‑time, you know, forgiveness for having made that mistake." The assessor’s office told the board the extension request was received Feb. 1, after the online portal closed on Jan. 31, and that the penalty was assessed under North Carolina law.

The county assessor’s office presented a timeline showing the office received an extension request by email on Feb. 1, 2025; processed a business listing in March; mailed a notice of value in May; and received a penalty appeal on May 23, 2025. The assessor’s office advised the board that the penalty assessment was consistent with North Carolina General Statutes cited by staff.

Board discussion noted the tardiness was minimal — about one day — and that the company had a history of filing on time. One board member said the embezzlement and the storm were mitigating factors. After deliberation, a board member recommended waiving the penalty; the motion carried in a voice vote and the board waived 100% of the assessed $769.66 penalty. The transcript records that the vote passed but does not provide a roll call tally.

The assessor’s office told the board the tax bill had not yet been mailed and that normal taxes plus the penalty would be billed during the county’s upcoming billing cycle. Interest on unpaid amounts will begin to accrue per the county’s schedule after the bill due dates.