March 28 2022
Tom Auxier rear, Billy Truman front
County
Commission held a public hearing on March 28th before their
regular monthly meeting. Did you know there was a tax increase
hearing set for that date. Neither did we. County Clerk Connie
Workman said the hearing was noticed in that wittle newspaper
based over in Lewisburg. We didn't see such notice posted on
the front door of the Courthouse nor did we hear mention of
the event during the last two County Commission meetings.
Just below is the notice albeit a little tardy
Before continuing, please read that notice above. When you read "tax increase", don't you think that's more coming out of your wallet?
From the git go, Commissioner King was up front with, " I could explain all day and not know what this is..." Ms King was saying, although the notice says taxes are going up, they will actually go down. Hmmmmmm.
That thought process was affirmed by County Clerk Workman. During this lightly attended gathering, both Workman and King said over and over, when this passes, your taxes will go down.
In attendance and speaking during the meeting were Tom Auxier, Billy Truman, and Garret Adams. Neither of those fellers ever claimed to be rocket scientists. But, each one can read and understand plain English.
After hearing leadership tell us, taxes would be going down slightly, Mr Adams: Sounds like smoke and mirrors,..... Ain't nothing going down..... Is there an appeal process????...
Billy Truman explained he attended Clayberry schools and W Va Tech and : How do you raise it and then it's going down??
Tom Auxier explained that he moved his family here from Cleveland 40 years ago so he wouldn't have to pay high taxes.... The assessments are going up ... This is like a hay stack you're adding to on top. Pretty soon it will fall over!... "We can't keep going!"
Each man had their chance to say their thoughts. Auxier got in the most. Here's some more: I can't afford it... Teachers are living in big houses...Our taxes never drop... after the flood, houses were not built back...the assessor raised rates on what remains... I'm trying to survive!
Keep in mind, this notice and hearing are separate from the just approved, across the board, 10% increase on 3600 parcels in County Clay.
We're confused but the simplest explanation is, State Govt worded this so poorly, it would confuse anyone and everyone..
During the 25 minute public hearing, a group of Clay Middle School students entered and sat down up front. The 14 year olds were there for the CCC meeting but caught the tail end of the hearing. In short order the teens understood what was going on real quick. We could see smiles come to their faces as the back and forth over taxes continued.
Auxier was adamant: We are not going to be able to pay our taxes... They will take our property.
Assessor Teresa Davis finally spoke up with, "Your taxes will go down.. inflation raises your taxes... and the grand slam of the session, the Levy did not pass."
Get it? Understand now? The School Levy, the School Excess Levy was not approved by voters on Jan 29th and therefore, THOSE taxes will go off your bill.
Get it now? Maybe just maybe the artfully worded statements from the Assessor are what has been meant all along. IE: With no Levy in place, we can sneak an increase on the books elsewhere and no one will notice.
Here's the CMS kids showing up for the CCC
meeting March 28th.Just below is the notice albeit a little tardy
Before continuing, please read that notice above. When you read "tax increase", don't you think that's more coming out of your wallet?
From the git go, Commissioner King was up front with, " I could explain all day and not know what this is..." Ms King was saying, although the notice says taxes are going up, they will actually go down. Hmmmmmm.
That thought process was affirmed by County Clerk Workman. During this lightly attended gathering, both Workman and King said over and over, when this passes, your taxes will go down.
In attendance and speaking during the meeting were Tom Auxier, Billy Truman, and Garret Adams. Neither of those fellers ever claimed to be rocket scientists. But, each one can read and understand plain English.
After hearing leadership tell us, taxes would be going down slightly, Mr Adams: Sounds like smoke and mirrors,..... Ain't nothing going down..... Is there an appeal process????...
Billy Truman explained he attended Clayberry schools and W Va Tech and : How do you raise it and then it's going down??
Tom Auxier explained that he moved his family here from Cleveland 40 years ago so he wouldn't have to pay high taxes.... The assessments are going up ... This is like a hay stack you're adding to on top. Pretty soon it will fall over!... "We can't keep going!"
Each man had their chance to say their thoughts. Auxier got in the most. Here's some more: I can't afford it... Teachers are living in big houses...Our taxes never drop... after the flood, houses were not built back...the assessor raised rates on what remains... I'm trying to survive!
Keep in mind, this notice and hearing are separate from the just approved, across the board, 10% increase on 3600 parcels in County Clay.
We're confused but the simplest explanation is, State Govt worded this so poorly, it would confuse anyone and everyone..
During the 25 minute public hearing, a group of Clay Middle School students entered and sat down up front. The 14 year olds were there for the CCC meeting but caught the tail end of the hearing. In short order the teens understood what was going on real quick. We could see smiles come to their faces as the back and forth over taxes continued.
Auxier was adamant: We are not going to be able to pay our taxes... They will take our property.
Assessor Teresa Davis finally spoke up with, "Your taxes will go down.. inflation raises your taxes... and the grand slam of the session, the Levy did not pass."
Get it? Understand now? The School Levy, the School Excess Levy was not approved by voters on Jan 29th and therefore, THOSE taxes will go off your bill.
Get it now? Maybe just maybe the artfully worded statements from the Assessor are what has been meant all along. IE: With no Levy in place, we can sneak an increase on the books elsewhere and no one will notice.
For the actual County Commission meeting, Commissioner Fran King and David Schoolcraft conducted business. According to Ms King, not in attendance Commissioner Connie Kinder's husband had died the night before and she would be absent this time around.
The Middle Schoolers designed and erected an Information Kiosk up at Spread Park . For their efforts, the group received a nice certificate, kind words and applause.
The steps both front and back, at the old Courthouse are in bad repair. Bids were solicited to repair the cut stone steps. One problem. No bids were received for the job.
For several years there's been a multi state lawsuit against the drug companies that made and distributed Opiod drugs. The billion dollar settlement is almost complete with each affected town, county, state, set to receive millions in new dollars from the drug makers. One municipality that did not file papers with the lawyers was the Town of Clay. They get nothing during this pay out. Commissioner King expressed, this county may be able to pay off their jail bill ($2M) with the settlement funds.
Here's something interesting. Health Dept PA Angela Brown informed the CCC, there are efforts to grow a soccer field and program in this County. Remember the old Filcon Manfacturing site out near Wallback? Now owned by the Sheltered Workshop, Ms Brown is working a deal for the soccer field to be built there.
Finally for this public session, the annual trash clean up day returns on April 23rd, over at Pierson Lumber Company from 8 to 2 pm. So far we haven't received any additional info on what will and won't be accepted. Commissioner Schoolcraft promised to send such an announcement during the meeting.
The short short public meeting ended at 10:32am
AW