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Washington County denies SunEnergy’s late property tax-exemption request
Summary
The Board of Commissioners unanimously denied SunEnergy’s late personal property listing and tax-exemption application after county staff said the filing arrived after the listing-period deadline; the denial was based on missed deadlines despite a manager note that statute allows relief for "good cause shown."
Washington County commissioners on Aug. 1 unanimously denied a late personal property listing and tax‑exemption application from SunEnergy after county staff said the company missed the listing‑period deadline.
Tax Administrator Sherri Wilkins told the board she received SunEnergy’s paperwork on July 25, after the statutory listing period had closed, meaning she lacked authority to grant the exemption without Board approval. Commissioner Bill Sexton said he opposed making an exception. "I have always been told that folks need to meet the deadline," Sexton said.
Commissioner Carol Phelps moved to deny SunEnergy’s late filing; Commissioner Sexton seconded and the motion carried unanimously. County Manager and County Attorney Curtis Potter noted that the governing statute permits relief for "good cause shown," but the Board opted not to apply that standard in this case.
Vice‑Chair Julius Walker added that the Board recently denied a similar late request and urged the Board to be consistent in its decisions. The denial preserves the county’s standard deadline process; the record shows the Board did not accept SunEnergy’s reason (the company told staff it missed the deadline while changing offices).
The Board’s action was recorded as a formal denial (motion by Commissioner Phelps, second by Commissioner Sexton) and was adopted by unanimous vote of the four commissioners present.
