Person County accepts tax report, reappoints tax assessor and approves order to collect taxes

The Person County Board of Commissioners on July 21 accepted the tax-collection report for the 2024 fiscal year, approved the annual order that empowers the tax office to collect property taxes, and reappointed Russell Jones as the county tax assessor.

Tax Collector Russell Jones presented the settlement report required by statute, summarizing collection numbers across categories: real and personal property, public service property and DMV-related collections. Jones reported an overall collection rate of about 99.5% for the combined categories and noted the office’s practices for improving collections, including delinquent notices, garnishments, bank attachments, debt set-off, payment arrangements, and targeted follow-up on older delinquencies. Jones said the office continues work on older years’ unpaid amounts and that some small balances remain where collection is legally infeasible.

The board voted to accept the report and, following staff request, approved the annual order to collect taxes, a procedural vote that gives the tax office the legal authority to pursue delinquent collections under state law (statute cited in staff packet).

Commissioners then reappointed Russell Jones as tax assessor and administered the oath of office. Jones noted staffing challenges over the next 18 months because of pending retirements and said he hoped to retain institutional knowledge and rebuild staff capacity.

Chair and commissioners commended the tax office staff for the high collection rate and for continuing to work through reappraisal and staff turnover while maintaining performance. The board’s motions were approved by voice vote; the clerk recorded the actions in the meeting minutes.