Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Tax Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Beaufort County council asks staff to press state on pending property-tax exemption applications that could cut revenue
Summary
Council members at a May 5 workshop expressed concern about Department of Revenue exemption applications for apartment developments and directed staff to draft a letter to the county's legislative delegation asking for transparency and speed; administration said the county only learns of exemptions after DOR decisions.
Council members at Beaufort County's May 5 budget workshop said they were alarmed by recent and pending Department of Revenue applications that could exempt apartment projects from property tax and materially reduce county and school-district revenue.
"This is gonna be an issue moving forward," a council member said, warning that the pipeline of pending applications could "snowball" and cost the county millions. County administration explained it does not receive DOR exemption applications in advance and only accounts for changes after DOR issues its decisions.
Council asked staff to prepare a fast letter (or a short resolution) for the delegation urging clarity and speed. The chair said staff would work to have a letter ready for council consideration quickly. "I'll get something done, resolution letter, Monday," the chair said.
Administration said it will notify municipalities when DOR reports adjustments that affect assessments and will work with the council on outreach to state representatives. No formal county action had been completed by the end of the workshop; staff said they would draft language for council review in the coming days.
