The local media played a big role in getting outstanding tax bills paid, Simpson County
Tax Assessor Charles Baldwin told the County Board of Supervisors at their last meeting.
Since the story appeared in the Magee Courier and the Simpson County News listing businesses that had not paid taxes, over $30,000 in delinquent personal property taxes have been paid. This reduced unpaid tax liens to the $5,000 range.
In the article, the county announced that it planned to seize property of non-payers to be auctioned for debt. Apparently, that announcement that the county would seek payment by any means necessary, changed a lot of minds, said Baldwin.
The board gave the nod to hiring Tony Warden as part-time deputy for court security, specifically for circuit and chancery court. This is an additional position to security that is provided to the county offices. Warden will replace Robert Taylor, who previously acted as court bailiff.
The board approved hiring Brittany Walker as dispatcher for the Sheriff’s Office and Johnny Griffith and Davonte Middleton as part-time jailers. The board approved Billy Seghini to attend training for K-9handler certification.
The board approved a request from the City of Magee for culverts in the amount of $5,474.93. The materials will be used to correct a drainage issue at 603 Twelfth Avenue SE. The request had come before Magee’s city board several times, but they did not act on the request of the home owner.
The board approved a the purchase of an advertisement supporting the school archery program for $500, a sponsorship for the Distinguished Young Woman’s program and an advertisement in the annual Profile edition of the Magee Courier and Simpson County News.
In other business the board approved the removal of some obsolete equipment from the county inventory, a welder and a printer that had been used for payroll.
The board plans to meet again on Jan. 25 for review of bids on a reverse auction bid. The next regular meeting of the board is set for Feb. 4 at 9 a.m.
The county observed Martin Luther King and Robert E. Lee Day on Jan. 21 and was closed. They will also observe President’s Day on Feb. 18.
