|
MY ADDRESS BEFORE THE BOC AT JANUARY 6 WORK SESSION REGARDING TAX COMMISSIONER WITHHOLDING INFORMATON
I come this morning as a follow-up from the last BOC Work Session in November regarding Street Lights, wherein I advised this Board that Street Lights was established as a Tax District…not a fee… back in 1990 by the then BOC. Over a period of 30+ years…fees were never paid to collect street lights, as it was a tax incorporated as a part of the tax bill.” I have here a copy of the Resolution which I believe you also have a copy.
During the November meeting, Tax Commissioner Baker stated that the Resolutions he was asking you to approve were the standard Resolutions you approve every four years, and that the BOC approved the one on Street Lights in 2021 with a 5-0 vote, which meant I voted for it, as I was on the Board at that time. I want to thank him for saying that because I was then curious why I did not voice my concern back then…because everyone knows I was always questioning anything, especially if it was new. My curiosity led me to watch the Work Session of July 1, 2021…a Zoom Call due to the pandemic, and a holiday week for many,(I was at the beach with family), Commissioner Baker was at the top of the agenda and repeatedly stated the resolutions were the same ones he did every 4 years, never mentioning he was taking $2 from the County for himself for every bill containing a street light…I would only guess it would amount to thousands going to him personally. Was this an oversight…maybe, maybe not. click to watch first 10 minutes https://youtu.be/f4fZe4wW10o?si=DgkUbntoS6D2RoYe
And he did the same thing to this Board at the last meeting regarding the fees he collects from the cities. He NEVER MENTIONED THAT HE TOOK A LARGER FEE FOR HIMSELF AT THE EXPENSE OF THE COUNTY. The old resolution was split 50-50, with him getting $2 and the County getting $2 per bill for the cities….but he changed it with him getting $3 and the County getting $1 per bill. Again, he failed to mention he changed the formular and used the phrase “standard” resolution. He certainly was given the chance to advise the BOC of this change. The purpose of the Work Session is for the Elected Officials and Directors to point out any new items or changes to any old, and most all do so, EXCEPT Commissioner Baker. I always heard a half truth is a whole lie. Another oversight by the Tax Commissioner?…I truly doubt it. Meetings around holidays are often used by some politicians to try avoid public scrutiny. This time he drug this Board into his plan. Whether you call it manipulation, lying by omission, being sneaky… it does not matter….it certainly can’t be classified as INTEGRITY, which is what we the public demands of each of you. Thank you for your time.
| 
