Property tax officials should take notice of two recent appellate decisions, one from the state Property Tax Commission in January and one from the state Court of Appeals in early June.  While neither decision creates entirely new law, they provide helpful guidance to assessors navigating the confusing area of property tax exemptions.

Property tax officials should take notice of two recent appellate decisions, one from the state Property Tax Commission in January and one from the state Court of Appeals in early June.  While neither decision creates entirely new law, they provide helpful guidance to assessors navigating the confusing area of property tax exemptions.

As local governments finalize their budgets, many governing boards are wrestling with difficult decisions over how to raise sufficient revenues to cover estimated expenses during the upcoming fiscal year. G.S. 159-8 requires a governing board to adopt a balanced budget … Read more

As local governments finalize their budgets, many governing boards are wrestling with difficult decisions over how to raise sufficient revenues to cover estimated expenses during the upcoming fiscal year. G.S. 159-8 requires a governing board to adopt a balanced budget ordinance, whereby estimated revenues plus appropriated fund balances equal appropriations.

As local governments finalize their budgets, many governing boards are wrestling with difficult decisions over how to raise sufficient revenues to cover estimated expenses during the upcoming fiscal year. G.S. 159-8 requires a governing board to adopt a balanced budget ordinance, whereby estimated revenues plus appropriated fund balances equal appropriations.

Tax collectors are obligated to “use all lawful means” to collect their local governments’ property taxes. G.S. 105-350(1).  This provision implicitly obligates local governments to use the foreclosure remedy when available and necessary. Despite this legal obligation some local governments remain … Read more

Tax collectors are obligated to “use all lawful means” to collect their local governments’ property taxes. G.S. 105-350(1).  This provision implicitly obligates local governments to use the foreclosure remedy when available and necessary. Despite this legal obligation some local governments remain hesitant to use foreclosure.

Tax collectors are obligated to “use all lawful means” to collect their local governments’ property taxes. G.S. 105-350(1).  This provision implicitly obligates local governments to use the foreclosure remedy when available and necessary. Despite this legal obligation some local governments remain hesitant to use foreclosure.

Budget season is in full swing for most local governments across the state. Managers, budget officers, department heads, and others are busy compiling expenditure requests and identifying potential revenue sources to balance the budget for the fiscal year that begins … Read more

Budget season is in full swing for most local governments across the state. Managers, budget officers, department heads, and others are busy compiling expenditure requests and identifying potential revenue sources to balance the budget for the fiscal year that begins on July 1. Elected officials in many jurisdictions have been actively involved in setting policy and funding priorities for the unit. They are preparing to make difficult choices as to which projects and services to undertake, and which initiatives to postpone or even abandon.