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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda 04-07-2026; 8-c - Property Tax Releases Refunds 1 ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: April 7, 2026 Action Agenda Item No. 8-c SUBJECT: Property Tax Releases/Refunds DEPARTMENT: Tax Administration ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Resolution Chad Phillips, Deputy Tax Assessor, Release/Refund Data Spreadsheet (919) 245-2103 PURPOSE: To consider adoption of a resolution to release property tax values for eight (8) taxpayers with a total of eleven (11) bills that will result in a reduction of revenue. BACKGROUND: The Tax Administration Office has received eight (8) taxpayer requests for release or refund of property taxes. North Carolina General Statute 105-381(b), "Action of Governing Body", provides that "upon receiving a taxpayer's written statement of defense and request for release or refund, the governing body of the taxing unit shall, within 90 days after receipt of such a request, determine whether the taxpayer has a valid defense to the tax imposed or any part thereof and shall either release or refund that portion of the amount that is determined to be in excess of the correct liability or notify the taxpayer in writing that no release or refund will be made". North Carolina law allows the Board to approve property tax refunds for the current and four (4) previous fiscal years. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Approval of this change will result in a net reduction in revenue of $31,814.73 to Orange County, municipalities, and special districts. Of this total, the impact on the County's portion of the taxes is $18,533.57. The financial impact year to date for FY 2025-2026 is $86,984.48. The Tax Assessor recognized that refunds could impact the budget and accounted for these in the annual budget projections. ALIGNMENT WITH STRATEGIC PLAN: This item supports: • MISSION STATEMENT — Orange County is a visionary leader in providing governmental services valued by our community, beyond those required by law, in an equitable, sustainable, innovative, and efficient way. • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — STEWARDSHIP AND ADVOCACY We make proactive data-supported decisions and advocate to local, state, and Federal governments in response to our community's needs in a way that best utilizes our resources. • GUIDING PRINCIPLE — SOCIAL JUSTICE We reject oppression and inequity by ensuring fair and equitable treatment of all people. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board approve the attached resolution approving these property tax release/refund requests in accordance with North Carolina General Statute 105-381. 2 NORTH CAROLINA RES-2026-023 ORANGE COUNTY REFUND/RELEASE RESOLUTION(Approval) Whereas,North Carolina General Statutes 105-381 and/or 330.2(b)allows for the refund and/or release of taxes when the Board of County Commissioners determines that a taxpayer applying for the release/refund has a valid defense to the tax imposed;and Whereas,the properties listed in each of the attached"Request for Property Tax Refund/Release" has been taxed and the tax has not been collected: and Whereas,as to each of the properties listed in the Request for Property Tax Refund/Release,the taxpayer has timely applied in writing for a refund or release of the tax imposed and has presented a valid defense to the tax imposed as indicated on the Request for Property Tax Refund/Release. NOW,THEREFORE,IT IS RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF ORANGE COUNTY THAT the recommended property tax refund(s)and release(s)are approved. Upon motion duly made and seconded,the foregoing resolution was passed by the following votes: Ayes: Commissioners Noes: I,Laura Jensen,Clerk to the Board of Commissioners for the County of Orange,North Carolina, DO HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing has been carefully copied from the recorded minutes of the Board of Commissioners for said County at a business meeting of said Board held on ,said record having been made in the Minute Book of the minutes of said Board, and is a true copy of so much of said proceedings of said Board as relates in any way to the passage of the resolution described in said proceedings. WITNESS my hand and the corporate seal of said County,this day of 2026 Clerk to the Board of Commissioners 3 Clerical error G.S.105-381(a)(1)(a) BOCC REPORT - REAL/PERSONAL Illegal tax G.S.105-381(a)(1)(b) Appraisal appeal G.S.105-330.2(b) APRIL 7, 2026 ORANGE ACCOUNT BILL ORIGINAL ADJUSTED FINANCIAL COUNTY NAME NUMBER YEAR VALUE VALUE IMPACT TAX IMPACT REASON FOR ADJUSTMENT ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Carraway Storage LP 3213895 2024 1,063,587 108,276 ($15,790.34) ($8,243.38)Double billed(illegal tax) Account Audit revealed real property listed on business personal property listing Carraway Storage LP 3213895 2025 1,134,797 239,123 ($11,520.16) ($6,552.28)Double billed(illegal tax) Account Audit revealed real property listed on business personal property listing Habitat for Humanity 212903 2025 215,000 0 ($1,570.37) ($1,372.35)Assessed in error(illegal tax) Exemption value was removed in error Lee,Jacob B 1073906 2023 17,280 0 ($161.59) ($144.34)Assessed in error(illegal tax) Mobile home removed from parcel 9892025730 in 2018 and sold September 2022 Lee,Jacob B 1073906 2024 16,720 0 ($164.31) ($144.28)Assessed in error(illegal tax) Mobile home removed from parcel 9892025730 in 2018 and sold September 2022 Lee,Jacob B 1073906 2025 16,140 0 ($117.08) ($103.02)Assessed in error(illegal tax) Mobile home removed from parcel 9892025730 in 2018 and sold September 2022 Lyght,Otis 3211523 2025 339,800 282,600 ($529.79) ($365.11) Incorrect value(clerical error) Value changed from timely filed informal appeal Rignola,Anthony James 3216605 2024 10,410 0 ($446.30) ($262.00)Assessed in error(illegal tax) Gap Bill:Vehicle registered In South Carolina during gap Steven Bledsoe Trustee 119924 2025 19,875 0 ($145.16) ($126.86)Double billed(illegal tax) Also on account 296468 The Connell Company-Connell Finance Co Inc 3219000 2025 87,500 31,500 ($404.38) ($357.45)Double billed(illegal tax) Taxpayer listed in error,vehicle registered in Wake County Yeager,Vonzell Derico 3219214 2025 20,680 0 ($965.25) ($862.50)Assessed in error(illegal tax) Gap Bill:vehicle registered In South Carolina during gap Total $31,814.73 $18,533.57 Gap Bill:Aproperty tax bill that covers the months between the expiration of a vehicle's re istration and the renewal of that registration or the issuance of a new registration. The spreadsheet represents the financial impact that approval of the requested release or refund would have on the principal amount of taxes. Approval of the release or refund of the principal tax amount also constitutes approval of the release or refund of all associated interestpenalties,fees and costs appurtenant to the released or refunded principal tax amount. February 14,2026 thru March 20,2026