2004 - 06-07-04 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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0 a60A 19 FACE 899 Department. Chiefs from all three departments discussed with the Board their proposed budgets and the need for paid personnel to handle paperwork requirements from State mandates that have become cumbersome for every department. They also expressed concerns of additional training requirements for bio-terrorism events and homeland security. The Board took no action on these budget requests at this time. The Board considered matters pertaining to the Tax Office that involved tax collections. Tax Administrator Kep Kepley told the Board that in an effort to improve tax collections and provide revenue in a more timely fashion, he was recommending some different collection methods that could be utilized. He told the Board that he would like to use bank attachment (garnishments) as a means of collection for delinquent real property taxes effective January 6, 2005. After some discussion, Commissioner Adams moved to approve the garnishment of bank accounts for delinquent real estate taxes effective January 6, 2005. Upon a vote, the results were as follows: Aye: Adams, Hincks, Paschal, Reives, and Stevens Nay: Lemmond and Matthews The Chairman ruled the motion had been adopted by a five to two vote. Mr. Kepley updated the Board on the collection process using the debt set off program that the Board adopted a couple of years ago but has not been utilized. He told the Board that he also plans on using this collection process that attaches income tax refunds for delinquent real estate taxes. Mr. Kepley also told the Board that another method of collecting delinquent vehicle taxes would be to levy or seize the vehicle and sell the vehicle as real property. After some discussion, the Board agreed that they did not wish to seize vehicles for past due accounts at this time. No action was taken on the matter but Mr. Kepley was asked to get information from other counties that do seize vehicles to find out what their procedure is. The Board considered grants for the Emergency Management Office. Emergency Management Director Jim Groves asked that the Board allow his office to accept $104,104 from a 2004 Homeland Security grant. Mr. Groves also asked approval to submit a grant to Homeland Security to purchase various radio systems for the City of Sanford and Lee County that would allow the fire departments, EMS, law enforcement, Public Works, and the schools to communicate better with each other. He further asked approval to apply for a $1,500 grant to develop a Citizens Corp Council that will be administered through the Local Emergency Planning Committee (LEPC) and a $4,000 grant to develop a local team to assist the emergency responders during a disaster. This team would be based in neighborhoods, industry, or local government, such as Public Works. Commissioner Adams moved that the Emergency Management Office be allowed to accept the Homeland Security grant of $104,104.00 and apply for grants to purchase radio systems and to develop a local team to assist the emergency responders. Upon a vote, the results were as follow: 3