Log Cabin Democrat Local News:Beaverfork fire district 'hurting' from slow collection of taxes 8/4/98

Published Tuesday, August 04, 1998

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Tuesday, August 4, 1998Beaverfork fire district 'hurting' from slow collection of taxes

Last modified at 11:55 a.m. on Tuesday, August 4, 1998

By BOB BUCHANAN

Special to the Log Cabin

#BEAVERFORK -- "We're hurting," Beaverfork Fire Protection District Commissioner Don Adlong said Monday night about the slowness of the district receiving money from the tax collector's office.

District President Jim Tucker said the district is "right at $3,000" behind in tax receipts this year, caused mainly because of computer problems in the collector's office.

During the past three years, Beaverfork had received $15,439 annually by the end of July. This year, he said, the district has received just $12,124.

"It's the $3,000 we owe the (Beaverfork Volunteer) Fire Department," he added.

"I realize we're a drop in the bucket," Adlong said, "but it's our whole livelihood."

However, the commission, on a motion by Adlong, voted to pay $1,000 to the fire department out of its approximately $1,800 in the bank. The commission has now paid $4,000 this year to the fire department for district fire protection. The budgeted amount should be $6,000 at this point from the $12,000 budgeted annually.

Generally about half the district's tax collections come after the tax-payment deadline Oct. 10. This caused Adlong to remark, "The way things are running, we may not get the bulk of our money until next spring."

The lack of money is causing Fire Chief Larry Nunn to reassess the program for modernizing Conway Old Engine 2, which was purchased from the Conway Fire Department.

Nunn said the lack of money also is causing the department to refinance purchase of the engine, slow rehabilitation of the engine, and prevent the sale of the district's oldest fire truck.

The chief added the department is deferring purchase of other items not considered critical. The only thing that's helped the department is "the super job people are doing in holding down fires in this extremely hot weather."

Tucker noted 81 letters were sent in July to residents delinquent in paying tax bills. District assessor Jean Nunn reports 11 of those people have paid in the past month.

Commissioners Tucker, Adlong and Allen Shaver also voted to reimburse Nunn $163 for a new fire station water heater and plumbing supplies. Commissioners Albert Rowland and Jack Trower were absent.

Mrs. Nunn reported no one appeared on July 30 to appeal their assessment at the district's equalization hearing held by the board of assessors.

Since the district has not received a bank statement as of the end of July and with money being critical, Adlong recommended the commission consider holding its monthly meeting on either the second or third Monday of the month in order to get an accurate bank statement.

Adlong deferred action on the matter until all five board members are present.

Log Cabin Democrat

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