by Jackie Nunnery
LANCASTER—Following discussion on October 31, the Lancaster board of supervisors agreed to hold two upcoming special meetings. The first will address personal property taxes, except for boats. The second meeting, involving a boat tax committee, all relevant parties and board members, will address a tax rate assessment value concept and assessment ratio for boats.
District 5 supervisor Robert Westbrook introduced a motion to conduct the special meetings. The motion passed, 5-0, with District 1 supervisor Jack Larson, District 2 supervisor Ernie Palin, District 3 supervisor and chairman Jason Bellows, District 4 supervisor Bill Lee and Westbrook all voting in favor.
The personal property session will be held at 5 p.m. November 21, prior to the 7 p.m. board meeting. The second meeting date has yet to be set. The board meets at the County Administration Building, 8311 Mary Ball Road, Lancaster.
Westbrook initiated the tax discussion during board reports while updating supervisors on the work that he and Larson have been undertaking to diversify the county’s tax structure. The goal is to “provide more fairness to our taxpayers,” said Westbrook.
He said he agreed with Larson that the board should…
