Messenger Staff Reporter

An increase in delinquent property taxes — from 500 parcels in March 2008 to 600 in March 2009 — may be just another indicator of a dismal economy, according to Obion County Trustee Lori Seals.

On Monday, she told the Obion County Budget Committee about a legal action she filed in Obion County Chancery Court on March 31 against 600 property owners who owe a total of $192,000 in real estate and personal property taxes.

The committee met in called session at 9 a.m. Monday at the Obion County Courthouse.

Ms. Seals’ report was received and added to other actions referred to the Obion County Commission, which meets next at 9 a.m. May 18.

“We give them a year to pay, and we put a penalty on for late payment,” she said. “If by the end of that year the taxes are still not paid, we file in court.”

She said there are about 20,000 parcels of property “on the books.”

“Last year we filed on 500. This year it’s about 600,” she said. “So there’s definitely an increase in delinquent taxes. It could very well be the state of the economy.

“We lost over $20,000 in real estate taxes and $38,000 on personal property taxes on the closure of the Bryan Custom Plastics plant in Kenton.”

The plant closed in June 2008.

In other business Monday, the budget committee:

• Approved a tax abatement for Williams Sausage Co. for an expansion of its plant near Woodland Mills.

• Adopted a continuing resolution that authorizes the county to continue operating under the current budget until a new budget is written and adopted by the county commission. Jowers said a new budget won’t be written until funding figures are received from state government. Meanwhile, the committee is receiving input for funding from county government entities and nonprofit organizations. The committee is scheduled to meet again at 10 a.m. May 13 to receive more such requests.

“The nonprofits are asking for less money this year,” Jowers said. “Last year, we ended up with a budget of $41 million. I don’t think we’ll go over that this year.”

• Placed the appointment of a General Sessions judge on the business agenda of the May 18 meeting of the county commission. Current General Sessions Judge Raymond Morris has announced his retirement.

John Brannon may be con-tacted by e-mail at jbrannon@ ucmessenger.com.
Published in The Messenger 5.5.09