Wayne County commissioners approve timber tax relief resolution, property sales and staff pay increases; approve airport upgrades

Wayne County commissioners adopted multiple resolutions and motions during their Oct. 6, 2025 meeting, approving a timber tax relief resolution, setting minimum bids on county-owned parcels, authorizing additional airport lighting funds, selecting the county's airport engineering consultant and approving salary increases for appraisal staff after an executive session on personnel.

The actions were recorded following routine roll calls and included motions made on the floor and unanimous votes recorded for each item where a roll call was taken.

The board approved a resolution supporting the state-level trees act intended to provide tax relief for timber owners who lost value or had premature sales after storm damage. Commissioners voted to send the resolution to the General Assembly; the motion passed unanimously.

The board set minimum bids and authorized sale processes for multiple county parcels that had been retained after tax sales. The commission set a $500 minimum bid for a small parcel on Sunset Boulevard (taxes owed shown as $6,873.92) to allow the adjacent property owner to consolidate access; the motion passed. The board also set a minimum bid of $2,191.25 for parcel J12101 (described in meeting materials as a small parcel with clouds on title) to allow an interested buyer who has purchased adjacent lots to acquire it; that motion also passed.

On airport business, commissioners approved an additional $57,563 to finish a PAPI (precision approach path indicator) lighting upgrade at the county airport; county staff told the board they expect approximately 90% reimbursement from grant funds. The board also approved a qualifications-based selection of Passero (listed in meeting materials as the airport consultant) for engineering and planning services related to airport projects. Both airport items passed on recorded votes.

Commissioners voted to table awarding the senior center construction bid and direct staff to rebid for clarification of scope; they also authorized holding a called meeting to review incoming bids. The motion to table carried.

After retiring into executive session for personnel, the board returned and approved pay adjustments for appraisal staff. The board raised the chief appraiser base salary from $60,276.68 to $85,000, set the deputy chief appraiser salary at $80,000 (from $65,000), and raised the starting salary for Appraiser I from $35,012 to $42,000. Commissioners recorded unanimous support for those changes.

Other routine motions — adoption of the agenda, approval of minutes and appointments posted on the agenda — were approved by recorded votes or unanimous voice votes during the meeting.

Votes at a glance

- Trees Act resolution (timber tax relief): motion approved; roll-call vote: unanimous yes. - Sunset Boulevard parcel (minimum bid $500): motion approved; roll-call vote recorded in meeting notes. - Parcel J12101 (minimum bid $2,191.25): motion approved; roll-call vote recorded. - PAPI lighting upgrade (additional $57,563): motion approved; roll-call vote: unanimous yes. Staff reported ~90% grant reimbursement expected. - Airport consultant selection (Passero): qualifications-based selection approved; roll-call vote: unanimous yes. - Senior center bid: motion to table and rebid for clarification — approved; outcome: tabled pending rebid and called meeting. - Appraisal staff salary adjustments (post–executive session): motion approved; roll-call vote: unanimous yes. Chief appraiser to $85,000; deputy chief appraiser to $80,000; Appraiser I starting to $42,000.

The minutes and formal resolutions will be posted in the county clerk's office and in the meeting packet where official text (for example resolution language) is included for the public record.

Ending: The board adjourned after the recorded votes.