Public comment expedites tax issue

BROOKHAVEN — A trio of sisters appeared before the Lincoln County Board of Supervisors Monday seeking answers to a tax issue. Public comment expedited the process as Tax Collector and Assessor Blake Pickering was called upon to answer questions.

Marty Lewman, Cheri Altman and Rachel Gatlin appeared before the board on behalf of them and their brothers Tom Cole, Lane Cole and John Cole. The sisters explained they exhausted options in regards to taxes and deeds to their mother’s estate.

They went to the Lincoln County Tax Collector and Assessor’s office and were told the property would be split up between the six siblings by July 2024. Chancery Clerk records did not show anything had been done. The women left messages asking Pickering to call them.

Many months later, the women voiced their frustration to the board. They needed to update their wills and pay taxes in the coming year.

“We were told by the end of 2024 the deeds would be mapped out,” Gatlin said. “They haven’t.”

She added they had tried calling Pickering’s office to no avail. District 3 Supervisor John David Hart told the family, part of his constituency, they may not be able to do anything legally on the board but it could offer a place to raise concerns if they came and spoke.

PIckering was summoned from his office to answer questions from the group. He explained to the group there was some sort of misunderstanding. The deeds could be mapped out this year and would be in the working 2024 land roll map but would not be publicly viewable yet.

Existing land roll maps are from the Jan. 1, 2023 land roll. The family’s mother died in June 2023 so the land roll had not been updated and thus visible to the chancery clerk. Pickering explained the 2024 land roll would go out in Nov. 2024. He invited the group to come with him to his office to check on the 2024 land roll map.

The group was not quite finished. They wanted answers for the lack of returned phone calls. Pickering’s answer was they were busy.

“Do we need to hire more people?” Gatlin asked.

Pickerign said he only has six people working in his office and they all stay busy.

Lewman recommended there should be better education and training  of employees so they can help customers better. All the group needed was correct information. They hope their experience can help other families receive better, explicit and consistent information.

“Something needs to be done to take care of families,” Lewman said. “What can we do to change this and fix it so others aren’t in the same position? Let’s get this fixed for the next people.”

District 4 Supervisor Eli Ferguson has experience working with deeds, land and real estate as a real estate agent. He shared his thoughts during the meeting with Pickering.

“I understand what their concern is. It is a situation where they don’t understand the process. It is imperative when they come to us we help them understand,” Ferguson said. “I know if something happens in 2023, in 2023 it will still show who owned it on Jan. 1. That’s all they had to know.”

Gatlin said after the meeting the family went and met with Pickering. While they made progress there are some minor issues they need to resolve with the property, she said. Her hope is that their public comments help others facing issues with the tax office.

“We were just happy to talk to someone. I was glad to have that opportunity,” Gatlin said. “I was very thankful. Hart called me to follow up afterwards. Knowing someone is trying to help you is encouraging.”

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