The Jones County Board of Tax Assessors had a called meeting May 28 to appoint a new board secretary and approve a request for additional funds from the county.
Chairman Dr. Leigh Stanford called the May 28 meeting to order at 9 a.m., and the prayer and pledge were led by Board Member Joe Rutledge.
All board members were in attendance with the exception of Tina Presley.
Stanford announced that Lonnette Jones has completed the Appraiser I course, which makes her eligible for the position of board secretary. She said Jones previously held the position until it was discovered the secretary had to also be an appraiser.
“She didn’t have to do that, but we appreciate the effort,” the chairman said.
Appraiser Bill Goodman has been filling the position since the departure of Appraiser Kim Adams in July of last year.
Rutledge made the motion to appoint Jones as secretary, and the motion was approved unanimously.
Stanford said the other reason for the called meeting was to approve her going to the next commissioners meeting to request additional funds. She said the commissioners did allot funds for the revaluation by Technical Appraisal Associates, but the assessors office has incurred additional expenses.
Stanford said printing expenses due to the revaluation have totaled over $10,000. She said they have agreed to a multiyear contract.
The chairman said there has been an increase in general services, and there was a total absence of some needs. She said there are two new positions needed that were postponed from last year.
“The need for office furniture is desperate. Duct tape and super glue of furniture in a public office is not acceptable,” she stated. “We need to request up to $150,000 that will include funding for the new positions carried over from last year.”
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Goodman said he and Adams did all they could to get caught up, but they did not have the manpower last year. He said Technical Appraisers has performed a review of all properties.
Stanford said she expects to have the complete revaluation of properties for approval before the next meeting.
The regular meeting of the Board of Tax Assessors was held June 4.
