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Berkheimer outlines local tax services, addresses $10 business-registration complaints
Summary
Berkheimer representatives described their Macklehattan satellite office, explained call routing and staffing, and told the board that some taxpayers paid and then contested the district's $10 business-registration fee; the firm has issued some refunds and offered steps to improve access and communication.
Rick Stover of tax-collection firm Berkheimer introduced the company's local operations and the new Macklehattan satellite office, telling the board the firm fields calls through a centralized customer-service team and can route in-person or complex matters to experienced staff.
"My name is Rick Stover," Stover said as he opened his presentation, which included contact details and a handout for constituents. He described signage installed at the plaza entrance, staff-training timelines and efforts to make the office easier to find.
Stover walked the board through Keystone Central School District's recently issued business-privilege registration language and associated $10 one-time fee. He said some taxpayers paid the fee and later challenged it because they had been in business in the county for decades; he told the board Berkheimer has sometimes refunded the $10 when appropriate.
"People have paid their $10 registration fee and people have contested it saying that they had ... been in business in Clinton County for 35 years," Stover said, describing calls and some refunds the firm has issued.
Board members asked about local foot traffic at the satellite office and staffing. Stover estimated modest walk-in volume since the office opened in January, and said the office had been staffed with four employees initially and will add two more in September. He emphasized the central call-routing and training process: callers are triaged to the Bangor headquarters customer-service team or routed to local staff when needed.
Why it matters: the district contracts with Berkheimer for EIT and local tax administration; clear communication about registration and local office hours affects taxpayers and reduces complaints. The board thanked the firm for outreach materials and said they would share the contact details with constituents.
