Tax abatement decision made on former WMS

Black Acres CEO Jeremy Collins and his attorney Clay Turner had the opportunity to present their tax abatement case to the Martin County Board of Equalization and Review Monday evening, but the outcome may not be what the two hoped for.

The board did not approve tax abatements for 2022 and 2023, but did approve a revaluation for 2024 substantially reducing the value of the property.

Turner had made two previous attempts to receive a tax abatement for years 2022, 2023 and 2024 on the former Williamston Middle School previously owned by the Martin County Board of Education.

Turner appeared before the Martin County Commissioners in April anticipating a revaluation of the property and an abatement; however, the commissioners did not have the authority to consider the request at the time.

Collins purchased the property in June 2022 by placing an upset bid of $125,000 for the seven-acre parcel. Collins claimed at that time he had no idea the property was valued at $4 million. He also said he never received a tax bill and thought he did not owe any taxes.

Aside from serving as the CEO of Black Acres, Collins is also an attorney and served as the Director for the Office of Digital Equity under N.C. Governor Roy Cooper.

According to Tax Assessor and E&R Board Clerk Melissa Phillips, Black Acres did not file a timely response for an appeal for 2022 or 2023 since the E&R board was not in session.

Aside from asking for an abatement for past taxes, Turner was also asking for a revaluation of the property.

The county had already revalued the property from $4 million to $2 million dollars, but Turner felt a more reasonable assessed value would be the purchase price of $125,000.

E&R Board Chair Hugh Kennedy advised Turner they could not use the sale price as a valuation. Collins claimed the buildings were condemned and unusable and had signs of asbestos throughout the four structures therefor could not possibly be valued at a high rate.

Board Vice Chair Donald White questioned why nobody researched the valuation card in the Assessor’s office. Collins claimed once he realized the valuation he went to Phillips and asked for a revaluation. Hence the reduction from $4 million to $2 million.

From the first meeting Turner had with the Martin County Commissioners he claimed the comps for school in North Carolina were low compared to what Collins paid for the Smithfield Road property.

Turner continued to stress the sale price should be the valuation price.

After comparing a series of comps throughout the area and particularly in Bertie County, Phillip and her team reassessed the property at a 255,366 valuation for 2024.

The board considered and voted on three different issues. They unanimously voted against approving an abatement for tax years 2022 and 2023. However, they passed a motion readjusting the valuation of the property to a lower value.

Board member Anita Whitehurst voted against the motion to lower the valuation. Whitehurst thought the valuation was still too high and wanted it lowered to the purchase price.

Citizens worried the county commissioners would rule on the valuation without proper authority were relieved at the meeting’s outcome.