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Opelika names Courtney Ross revenue director and proposes switching tax-collection to state
Summary
Courtney Ross, introduced as Opelika’s new revenue director, urged the council to approve switching tax-collection services from Avenue Insights and Analytics to the State of Alabama after the city’s contract ends Dec. 1, citing lower administrative fees, more local auditors and improved taxpayer experience.
Courtney Ross, Opelika’s newly announced revenue director, addressed the council July 21 and asked members to support a resolution to move the city’s tax-collection services from Avenue Insights and Analytics to the State of Alabama when the current contract ends on Dec. 1.
Ross said the change would reduce administrative fees and improve tax recovery because state auditors working in Lee County can cross‑reference businesses and collect for multiple jurisdictions when they perform audits. "They have anywhere from eight to nine auditors that live within Lee County," Ross said, and that local presence would help bring in revenue the city now loses under the current arrangement.
Ross also cited customer-service complaints with the private vendor and argued a state-run filing system would provide a better user experience for businesses and residents by consolidating filings. Councilmembers acknowledged the proposal as "a popular move" and said it could save the city money; the council did not take the final vote on the switch at this meeting and will consider the resolution as part of the consent or regular agenda process.
