Dateline: June 15, 2006

Citizens' questions prompt discussion

By Roger Estlack, Clarendon Enterprise

An appearance by more than 30 concerned citizens sparked a lengthy discussion about salaries and other issues when the Donley Appraisal District Board met in regular session Monday night.

Brad Dalton spoke for the group, which calls itself the Donley County Concerned Citizens, and went through a list of questions for the board to answer.

“We’re not here to fuss and fight,” Dalton said. “We’re just here to ask questions.”

Board Chairman Dan Hall and Chief Appraiser Paula Lowrie answered some of the questions on the spot and said other information – such as data on delinquent taxes, collection rates, etc. – can be compiled and made available.

Dalton then read a statement requesting a timely reply to the group’s questions and requested that any citizen be able to come to the appraisal office “with a question or complaint without fearing a confrontation or retaliation” and that the board give “impartial and unbiased review” and fair resolution to any complaint.

The citizens then left the building, and the board continued with its agenda, which included work on the proposed budget for fiscal year 2007.

Board member Jerry Gage said he thought the board should have a basis for setting salaries, which was one of the items of inquiry of the Concerned Citizens.

“They came here with questions, and they deserve answers,” Gage said.

“These are the people who pay the taxes, and we need to address their concerns,” board member Johnny Floyd said.

Board member Wayne Hardin recommended a three percent increase in salaries based on past raises and in an attempt to keep up with cost of living increases. Floyd and board member Anthony Knowles said raises should be based on whether a person is doing a good job.

“Then obviously they are because we get audited by the state every year and get good reports,” Hardin said.

The board agreed to put a three percent salary increase in the proposed budget and to meet in August before their next regular meeting in September to discuss salaries further.

Later in the meeting, the board discussed the issues presented by the Concerned Citizens again.

“Complaints about tax rates or personal property taxes should be directed to these other boards,” Gage said, referring to the nine taxing entities in Donley County. “No one in this office should have to defend themselves over things outside their control.”

Other board members noted that the appraisal district only sets the value of property and collects taxes levied by other boards.

The board also agreed that questions presented at the meeting were matters of open record and directed Lowrie to prepare answers to the questions to be made available to the media.