COMMISSIONERS APPROVE ADVANCED REVALUATION

By Jon Mayhew [LINCOLN COUNTY] – County commissioners Monday night narrowly approved advancing the county’s next evaluation from 2012 to 2011.

By a 3-2 vote, commissioners approved a resolution that would move the next revaluation to January 1, 2011.

The vote – with commissioners Carrol Mitchem and Jim Klein voting no – came without a little controversy between Commissioner Mitchem and Commissioner George Arena having a discussion of about what should come first: the revaluation or a reduction in the tax rate.

“We’re paying too much in taxes, and that’s the bottom line,” said Mitchem before the vote.

Arena disagreed with Mitchem’s thinking.

“The property values are too high,” said Arena. “That’s the fallout from paying higher taxes.”

Before voting no, commissioner Jim Klein said none of the commissioners can predict the future.

”We don’t know whether or not 2011 would bring a more satisfying outcome in property revaluations,” said Klein. “I don’t see the substance in the resolution where I can support it.”

Commissioner Mitchem agreed with Klein’s sentiment.

“It bothers me that the people would lose houses because they couldn’t pay taxes,” said Mitchem. “The bottom line is that people think they pay too much tax. The tax rate needs to be adjusted on a four year cycle and need to be continued that way.”

Arena, however, believes the revaluation should come before considering the tax rate. Arena, commissioner Bruce Carlton and commission chairman voted for the new revaluation date.

“The idea is to bring the property values more in line at the next revaluation cycle,” said Arena.

Last year, many Lincoln County taxpayers were shocked when property values jumped – in some cases, more than 100 percent.

At the February 2 commissioner’s meeting, commissioner Bruce Carlton said people he knew may lose their homes due to the increased revaluations.

In a Feb. 3 article on The Carolina Scoop, Carlton also said that he wants to bring "some relief" to the taxpayers of Lincoln County.

"I don't buy it that people have a tough road to hoe," said Carlton. "At this point and time, we aren't giving people real value on property. It's not the tax department's fault. It's the economy."COMMISSIONERS APPROVE ADVANCED REVALUATION

By Jon Mayhew [LINCOLN COUNTY] – County commissioners Monday night narrowly approved advancing the county’s next evaluation from 2012 to 2011.

By a 3-2 vote, commissioners approved a resolution that would move the next revaluation to January 1, 2011.

The vote – with commissioners Carrol Mitchem and Jim Klein voting no – came without a little controversy between Commissioner Mitchem and Commissioner George Arena having a discussion of about what should come first: the revaluation or a reduction in the tax rate.

“We’re paying too much in taxes, and that’s the bottom line,” said Mitchem before the vote.

Arena disagreed with Mitchem’s thinking.

“The property values are too high,” said Arena. “That’s the fallout from paying higher taxes.”

Before voting no, commissioner Jim Klein said none of the commissioners can predict the future.

”We don’t know whether or not 2011 would bring a more satisfying outcome in property revaluations,” said Klein. “I don’t see the substance in the resolution where I can support it.”

Commissioner Mitchem agreed with Klein’s sentiment.

“It bothers me that the people would lose houses because they couldn’t pay taxes,” said Mitchem. “The bottom line is that people think they pay too much tax. The tax rate needs to be adjusted on a four year cycle and need to be continued that way.”

Arena, however, believes the revaluation should come before considering the tax rate. Arena, commissioner Bruce Carlton and commission chairman voted for the new revaluation date.

“The idea is to bring the property values more in line at the next revaluation cycle,” said Arena.

Last year, many Lincoln County taxpayers were shocked when property values jumped – in some cases, more than 100 percent.

At the February 2 commissioner’s meeting, commissioner Bruce Carlton said people he knew may lose their homes due to the increased revaluations.

In a Feb. 3 article on The Carolina Scoop, Carlton also said that he wants to bring "some relief" to the taxpayers of Lincoln County.

"I don't buy it that people have a tough road to hoe," said Carlton. "At this point and time, we aren't giving people real value on property. It's not the tax department's fault. It's the economy."