Philosopher Camus wrote “Always go too far, because that’s where you will find the truth.”
White Pine County Commission June 8, 2016
Public Comment:
George Chachas brought up the city tearing down houses and selling the property that should have been sold on the tax auction. Taxes title needs to go to tax sale.
George stated he knows of two buildings being torn down for $14,000. and sold for $9,000. George did buy this property with in 3 days after it was on the market.
I believe when a house is condemned by the city, the owner of the property give the property to the city. Thus the property owner gets out of fees and fines. Once a property is owned by a City, County or State it is not on the tax rolls, the city does not pay any back taxes. At this point the city lists the property with a realtor.
I feel this is not a bad way to handle derelict properties. The City may have spent more then the sale price, but it is now back on the tax rolls.
The County has harder time with selling of properties. They have to wait 3 years of delinquent property taxes, before they start the process of gaining legal title, and start the auction process. There is no option to have a realtor.
The County does own property, not in use and not gained by unpaid taxes. One example is the gun range, the range in use is about 58 acres. The amount of landed connected to the gun range and owned by the county is 580 acres. The present commissioners and some of the past commissioners were unaware of this. The question now is how does the county get this unused land (and other land in White Pine that are wanted by private citizens) back on the tax rolls? Our Assessor, Burton Hilton, has done lots of research on county owned property and brought this to the attention of the commissioners. Now the only holdup is how they can sale the property? My hopes is that a or many realtors can list the properties.
One person, wants to know why the unincorporated towns don’t have an ordnance like the city that allows them to do like the city? This is a good question and is worth looking into. It seems like a quicker way to get properties on the tax rolls and improve the appearance of all our towns.
A former commissioner said that was the intention of Industrial park, but when a lower or no tax for 5 years (to help get a business started) was suggested, it was voted down. I feel if we want business to get established here, we need to inventive. Other counties offers are far better than WP, so why come here?
I want to thank Robert Switzer, Pat Robinson, Burton Hilton, and Wayne Cameron for their help.
Fire Commission:
Hire Brett Waters as casual or temporary employee to assist the completion of pending projects. The wage would be $50. a hour and $25. for travel. This will be a 3 month contract. Mike Coster suggested that the contract be made for 75 hours in three months. This will make it flexible, as the first month may have the most hours needed. There was discussion as to how the hours were to be turned in. All approved.
Budget ending period year to date is – minus $20,243.52.
Commission
Meeting
Two agenda items were tabled. These were pertaining to the EDC withdraw from GBRDA and joining the NNRDA.
The 7 page Interlocal Agreement for shared building official services was discussed. Proposed financial commitment – a. County will pay the City $34,000. divided into four quarterly payments. b. The building office will collect all building permit fees and will distribute proper amount to each entity. c. Mileage fees that are collected and decided between county and city.
Bob Switzer (City Manager) mileage fees are a concern. City wants to be reimbursed for fuel. Carol McKenzie pointed out the inspector drives a county vehicle. Mike Coster questioned if the fuel charge was to be per mile or a portion of gas. It sounds to me like it is a per mile fee.
There was a discussion on the possible combining of the Senior Center and Social Services. Bunny Hill, Chris Ricci and Elizabeth Frances worked together to come up with a way to combine the two office into one.
These are two different departments with separate duties that at times overlap. If the commission choose to have one Department head over both it is going to need six to eights months to allow cross training.
Consideration must be given to a physical location of the office. The clients of each need to be considered as to location.
A full-time administrative assistant would need to be hired. These changes should save about $30,000 per year.
The retirement of Bunny Hill was was discussed in the making this possible. Bunny said she is going to retire, but had not date as of yet.
Resolution of County Road 1185 and associated right-oh-way status. This is a dispute between two residents of this road and should have been resolved 3 years ago. I remember this on the agenda 3 years ago. Why has nothing been done? One of those hard decisions! This was brought to the attention by Mike Coster, maybe now there will be something done.
Once again I encourage you to call the commissioners and give them your thoughts, they need it.
Laurie Carson 293-3134
Mike Coster 293-2933
Richard Howe 287-2851
Carol McKenzie 238-5384
Gary Perea. 293-7356