HomeMy WebLinkAbout04-15-2013 BOER MeetingASSEMBLY
The 2013 New Hanover County Board of Equalization and Review met on Monday, April 15, 2013, at 1:00 p.m. in the Lucie F. Harrell Conference Room of the New Hanover County Government
Center, 230 Government Center Drive, Wilmington, North Carolina. The purpose of the meeting was to train, and swear in, the 2013 Board of Equalization and Review.
Members present were: John Babb (Chairman), Charles Davis Jr. (Member), Bob Drach (Member), Richard Murray (Member), Nancy Pritchett (Member), and James Brumit (Alternate).
Staff members present were: Tax Administrator Roger Kelley, Assistant Tax Administrator Jeffery Niebauer, and Fiscal Support Specialist Cassandra Fowler.
Also present was: North Carolina Department of Revenue’s Property Tax Division, Real Property, Property Valuation Specialist’s Scott Casey and Bob Creecy.
AGENDA ITEM # 1: Introductions
Introductions were made by each of the Board members and staff present. Chairman John Babb quickly reviewed his handouts to the members titled: “Equalization and Review Board Expectations
of New Hanover County Tax Assessors Office” and “Equalization and Review Board Guiding Principles”.
AGENDA ITEM # 2: Administration of the Oath of Office
Chairman John Babb, and members Charles Davis Jr., Bob Drach, Richard Murray, Nancy Pritchett, and James Brumit were sworn in for their Oath of Office by Cassandra Fowler.
Chairman John Babb called the meeting to order at 1:00 p.m.
AGENDA ITEM # 3: Presentation on “Members Handbook for Boards of Equalization and Review"
Scott Casey with the North Carolina Department of Revenue, Property Tax Division, made a detailed presentation to the Board members on the North Carolina Department of Revenue's
"Member's Handbook for Boards of Equalization and Review" and answered questions from Board members.
During this training, Mr. Casey advised that the Board had the option of swearing in, under oath, all witnesses that came before the Board; and, despite no statutory mandate
requiring same, recommended that the Board may want to consider this option. Chairman John Babb informed the members that the 2012 Board had decided to have the appellants sign an
affirmation prior to presenting their information and they should continue the practice this year, therefore, there was no further discussion on this subject.
AGENDA ITEM # 4: Presentation on “Code of Ethics"
Tax Administrator Roger Kelley with the New Hanover County Tax Department reviewed his handout titled, “New Hanover County Board of Commissioners Resolution Adopting a Code of Ethics”
and answered questions from the Board members
AGENDA ITEM # 5: Presentation on “Responsibilities of the Board Members"
Tax Administrator Roger Kelley informed the Board that he was available to answer any questions they may have about their responsibilities outlined in the handbook and that they do have
the County Attorney available to answer questions, as well.
AGENDA ITEM # 6: Schedule Future Meetings
The Board agreed that the Board’s opening session, in accordance with North Carolina General Statute §105-322(e), will be scheduled for April 24, 2013, from 9 a.m. – 12
p.m., and the first appeals filed by property owners will be heard. Additionally, the Board was advised that the closing session of the Board has already been scheduled, via official
notifications published in local newspapers as required by the North Carolina General Statutes, for Friday, May 31, 2013, from 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. The Board was informed that it was advertised
that all written appeals must have been received in the Tax Department, or have been post marked, by 12:00 p.m. (noon) on that date in order to be considered as appeals for the 2013
tax year, however, we will be accepting all appeals as valid until 5 p.m. on Friday, May 31, 2013.
Member Bob Drach suggested to the Board members that they continue using the “2013 BOE Member Schedule Availability” spreadsheet to schedule a quorum for each hearing to
avoid cancelling hearings. The Members agreed to continue using the scheduling spreadsheet for 2013 and Cassandra Fowler informed the Board that they would receive the spreadsheet
via email in a few days for them to complete and return. Mr. Babb suggested to the new Board members that they try to make themselves available for the scheduled hearings thru May,
to familiarize themselves in how the Board functions on a routine basis.
AGENDA ITEM # 7: Adjournment
There being no further business to consider, Chairman John Babb recessed the 2013 Board of Equalization and Review at 3:40 p.m. until its first hearing day scheduled for April 24,
2013.
Respectfully submitted,
Cassandra Fowler