WALHALLA — The hottest issue at Tuesday night’s Oconee County Council meeting may not be on the agenda. It may also be cooled off in a hurry.
The 7 p.m. session will be the first time council has met since County Treasurer Greg Nowell raised concerns about whether the county has collected up to $72 million too much taxes over the past several years. Internet Web sites frequented by followers of county government suggest there may be a standing-room-only crowd in attendance to see what, if anything, the county has to say about the issue.
Council Chairman George Blanchard said Friday he hadn’t given any thought to whether the public comment session of the meeting would be open to those wanting to address the taxation issue.
Typically, the county restricts comments to items on that night’s agenda, and the posted agenda has no mention of the issue.
Late in the meeting, County Auditor Linda Nix is scheduled to report on the millage levy required to fund this year’s budget for both school and county operations. Nix is at the heart of the issue, and whether that provides an opening for public comment, Blanchard would not say.
He did say, however, he expects to address the tax issue before the public comment period. He would not elaborate.
Both Nowell and the county administration have asked the Department of Revenue to look into the treasurer’s claims, which center around a $24 million property tax payment by Duke Energy in 2006. Duke paid the money to make up for being under-taxed from 2004 to 2006. Nowell claims the windfall was left on the books and used as part of the county’s tax basis for the following two years.
County officials have denied any wrongdoing or over-taxation.
Nix’s millage recommendation is slated to come up under matters handled by Administrator Dale Surrett and County Attorney Brad Norton. Norton is also expected to address a health insurance contract issue. Surrett is scheduled to bring up a proposal from VC3, the Columbia-based technology contractor the county has used since firing County IT Director Richard Reeves earlier this year.
Council is also expected to hold a first reading on an ordinance providing for an infrastructure tax credit and fee in lieu of tax extension for a project identified only as “project Boomer.” A “first and final” resolution related to the same matter is also on the agenda, as is a first reading of an ordinance that would convey “industrial park” status to the project.
Home
Discuss story 
iPod friendly version
September 6, 2008
1:23 p.m.Report inappropriate content
From what we hear, Greg Nowell had better take a pillow and some salve to Tuesday's meeting.
September 6, 2008
4:27 p.m.Report inappropriate content
Let's see if I understand. Even though this tax/overtax issue is the hottest item on the minds of thousands of Oconee citizens, Blanchard may not allow (not ALLOW??) an overflow crowd to speak. Not allow concerned citizens to speak for three minutes on an issue that may have a huge effect on their tax bills and bank accounts? Using this arbitrary rule, all County Council has to do to avoid hearing comments from us is just omit from the agenda anything they don't want to discuss or hear from us about. Very clever, very slippery, but I doubt it will silence a very concerned, likely overtaxed room full of citizens who may want to be "allowed" to speak to their county government.
September 6, 2008
4:51 p.m.Report inappropriate content
There should never have been a question as to the fact that taxpayers had been overtaxed due to Duke Power not being taxed enough. Simple as can be, when Duke Power's assessment was raised, their mills were raised, more money came into the County from Duke Power. How can you say that other taxpayers taxes should have not been lowered. We were definitely overtaxed. Where's your math ability? Guess it depends on where you wanted the money to go. I SAY IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN RETURNED TO THE TAXPAYERS. HUH?
September 6, 2008
5:14 p.m.Report inappropriate content
I agree, ldavis. Return our money. Even the not-so-liked Internal Revenue Service returns the amount of our money overwithheld when we file our tax returns. Whether it's an overpayment to IRS, or to the county, return the money. I really don't care how many nonessential projects or programs they have to delay or drop completely to do it. I hope the Department of Revenue makes them refund, and I've heard that's happened in other counties. The next thing we'd have to watch for is them raising our taxes enough to have enough for refunds. Cut spending, drop projects, or rebate over several years if necessary, but refund.
September 7, 2008
6:30 p.m.Report inappropriate content
By Blanchard's comments one can already see the under handed way this council intends to once again put it to the taxpayers of Oconee County. Article1section8 is correct, in the fact, we'll once again see a tax increase. You can almost bet the farm on that. The reason Blanchard doesn't want any questions is they don't want to admit what has happened. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to to figure it out. There has been ample time for an independent autitor to go through the books and say yes or no. Just remember the only two councilmen left that need to go are Blanchard and Suarez. Now we don want them to feel left out!!