Commission questions taxes on vehicles

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Jun 3, 2008 by Tim Hrenchir

By Tim Hrenchir

THE CAPITAL-JOURNAL

Shawnee County Treasurer Larry Wilson said Monday he will discontinue his office's practice of letting people register vehicles if they have filed a grievance contending they are being taxed for personal property they don't own.

Wilson's statement came after County Commissioners Shelly Buhler, Vic Miller and Ted Ensley discussed but didn't act Monday morning regarding county counselor Rich Eckert's contention that Wilson was breaking state law.

Eckert said the treasurer's office has failed to obey a state law requiring a person registering a vehicle to be up-to-date on personal property tax. In most instances, the tax involves such items as vehicles and motor homes.

Eckert said Wilson was letting people register their vehicles merely by showing they have filed an appeal with the Kansas Board of Tax Appeals over the appraised value of their personal property. He said the practice enables people to file an appeal with BOTA while failing to pay the $15 fee, then register their vehicle with Shawnee County before BOTA dismisses the appeal on the grounds that the fee wasn't paid .

District Attorney Robert Hecht was among those in the audience for Monday's meeting, where Wilson said his office hasn't allowed anyone with delinquent personal property taxes to register their vehicles merely because they've filed an appeal.

But Wilson and deputy treasurer Tammy Tefft wrote in e-mail Monday that their office on possibly "several" occasions this year has allowed taxpayers to renew their registration if they had filed a grievance.

"If the grievance is dismissed, the next time the taxpayer would not be allowed to renew," Tefft wrote.

Wilson said the practice will end.

"We are working on staff written instruction that will discontinue the practice and motor vehicle division staff have been verbally notified to discontinue allowing taxpayers to renew or tag vehicles with a tax grievance application," he said. "If the taxpayer has delinquent personal property taxes they will be required to pay those taxes in full prior to renewing or titling their vehicle."

During Monday's meeting, Wilson told Miller at one point that he thought the conversation had become adversarial and he felt "indicted here by the county commission, by this tribunal."

Wilson said he wouldn't answer further questions unless he were represented by an attorney. Still, he continued to answer questions.

Miller asked Wilson about whether two signs posted outside the treasurer's office at the county courthouse were contrary to that office's current policy. Both signs indicated those who owe Shawnee County personal property taxes may not register their vehicle without first paying the delinquent personal property taxes or appealing them.

Wilson said the signs were misleading because his office doesn't issue tags to those who have merely filed an appeal. In response to a question from Wilson, Miller and Buhler said they wouldn't oppose Wilson's taking the signs down.

After Monday's meeting, Wilson answered questions from reporters outside the treasurer's office while standing near one of the signs. With TV cameras rolling, he ripped it from the wall and threw it to the floor.

Commissioners on Monday also:

n\u2002Did not act on Sheriff Dick Barta's request that the county contract with Topeka-based Senne & Co. to remodel the first- floor security station at the county courthouse at a cost of $15,979. Buhler said that before she could support such a move, she would need to see more evidence the current arrangement poses security problems.

n\u2002Voted 3-0 to contract with Sommerset, Wis.-based R & R Specialities, the nearest Zamboni-authorized shop, to inspect and repair the nine-year-old Zamboni used to clean and smooth the ice at the Kansas Expocentre's Landon Arena at a cost not to exceed $10,000.

Tim Hrenchir can be reached

at (785) 295-1184

or tim.hrenchir@cjonline.com.