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Commissioners accept tax report, approve refunds and multiple budget amendments
Summary
The board accepted a tax collections report showing $3.35 million collected in January, approved two small refunds and adopted a resolution creating a special Board of Equalization and Review; it also approved five budget amendments including insurance reimbursements and grant acceptance.
Annie Carmichael, the county tax collector, presented the January tax report and asked the board to approve collections of $3,354,145.40. She said the original levy was $24,845,957.94 and $2,064,182.12 remained outstanding as of Jan. 31, giving a collection rate of 92.98%.
Carmichael requested a refund of $207.20 for the Avery Cares Building at 636 Cranberry Street after one owner paid the full tax bill on property still half-owned by the county; the board approved the refund. She also described a parcel for which the office could not find a recorded deed; the owner requested a refund of $664.73 for five years of payments and the release of the 2025 unpaid bill for $117.92. The board approved that refund and release as presented.
Carmichael read a resolution to create a special Board of Equalization and Review for 2026, stating members must be property owners, at least 18 years old and residents of Avery County, and that members must take the oath prescribed by state statute. The resolution set pay at $10 per hour and described procedures for filling vacancies; the board adopted the resolution by voice vote.
Finance and department staff presented five budget amendments the board approved by voice vote: an $8,300 insurance reimbursement to the Department of Transportation for a damaged gate; a $10,500 digital-opportunities grant from Dogwood Health Trust (mentioned alongside Wake Health Trust) to purchase equipment for ambulances, with acceptance contingent on approving a reimbursement agreement and authorizing Mike Atkinson to sign; an $81,314.47 insurance reimbursement for Central Dispatch to replace radio tower equipment; a $3,000 foster care supplement for Social Services to cover after-hours placement costs; and a $2,300 request from the fire marshal for inspection software. The board also approved the minutes for Jan. 5.
