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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda - 12-07-1999 - 5bORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS ACTION AGENDA ITEM ABSTRACT Meeting Date: December 7, 1999 Action Agenda Item No. _~~ SUBJECT: Appointment of Orange County Tax Collector DEPARTMENT: County Manager PUBLIC HEARING: (Y/N) No ATTACHMENT(S): INFORMATION CONTACT: Resolution John Link or Rod Visser, ext 2300 TELEPHONE NUMBERS: Hillsborough 732-8181 Chapel Hill 968-4501 Durham 688-7331 Mebane 336-227-2031 PURPOSE: To consider a resolution appointing Jo Ann Roberson as the new Orange County Tax Collector for the period January 4, 2000 through June 30, 2001. BACKGROUND: In September 1999, Orange County Tax Collector Ginger Rolfe announced her plans to relocate to Southern Pines, and accordingly tendered her resignation. Since that announcement, the County Manager and staff have conducted a recruitment process leading to a recommendation to the Board of a successor to Ms. Rolfe. In accordance with Chapter 105-349 of the North Carolina General Statutes, the Board of Commissioners is responsible for appointing the Tax Collector. The statute does not specify length of term, but rather indicates that the Board appoints the tax collector "for a term to be determined by the appointing body". The Manager recommends that the Board appoint the new tax collector to complete Ms. Rolfe's two-year appointment, which expires June 30, 2001. Two-year appointments have been the practice observed by the Orange County Board of Commissioners in the past. Assuming approval by the Board of the Manager's recommendation, Ms. Jo Ann Roberson will begin work on Tuesday, January 4, 2000 as outlined in the attached resolution. A North Carolina native, Ms. Roberson has eighteen years of progressively responsible experience in tax collection at the County level. She has extensive training in tax collection matters through the Institute of Government and is certified through the State of North Carolina as a Deputy Tax Collector. She will come to Orange County from her most recent assignment as Tax Collections Supervisor for Rockingham County. She is well regarded by her peers in her professional association and comes highly recommended by the County Manager and Tax Administrator in Rockingham County. FINANCIAL IMPACT: Ms. Roberson is recommended to be hired at Step 2D, Grade 76 of the Orange County Salary Schedule, which currently reflects a salary of $47,520. Adequate funds are available in the Revenue Department's 1999-2000 operating budget to meet these salary requirements. RECOMMENDATION(S): The Manager recommends that the Board adopt the resolution appointing Ms. Jo Ann Roberson as Orange County's Tax Collector for the period January 4, 2000 through June 30, 2001. ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS A RESOLUTION APPOINTING JO ANN ROBERSON AS ORANGE COUNTY TAX COLLECTOR FOR THE PERIOD JANUARY 4, 2000 THROUGH JUNE 30, 2001 WHEREAS, Ms. Ginger Rolfe has tendered her resignation as Orange County Tax Collector after more than four years of service to Orange County and its citizens; and WHEREAS, the Orange County Manager has recommended that Ms. Jo Ann Roberson be appointed to complete Ms. Rolfe's current two-year term as Orange County Tax Collector, effective January 4, 2000, based on Ms. Roberson's extensive qualifications for that office in terms of training and experience; and WHEREAS, Ms. Roberson has indicated her strong desire to be appointed to that office as indicated; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the Orange County Board of Commissioners, as provided for under Chapter 105-349 of the North Caroliria General Statutes, does hereby appoint Jo Ann Roberson as Orange County Tax Collector, effective for the period January 4, 2000 through June 30, 2001; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Ms. Roberson shall be compensated by an annual salary associated with Grade 76, Step 2D of the .Orange County Salary Schedule, which salary is currently $47,520; further, that Ms. Roberson shall be entitled to allotherpay and benefits as are made available to other permanent County employees under the provisions of the Orange County Personnel Ordinance. This, the 7th day of December, 1999. tP e oun t ~ r $ ~~` $ ~ ~~ NEWS RELEASE ~z ~ ~ ~z worth ~ar~~~~~ 12/07/99 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Orange County Manager's Office Jo Ann S. Roberson appointed Orange County Revenue Director/Tax Collector P.O. Box 8181 Contact: Rod Visser , 732-8181, extension 2300 or 200 South Cameron Street John Link,. 732-8181, ext. 2300 Hillsborough, NC 27278 Orange County Manager John Link has announced the (919) 732-8181; 968-4501; appointment of Jo Ann S. Roberson as Orange County 688-7331; 227-2031 Revenue Director/Tax Collector. Roberson will begin work Extension 2500 Tuesday, January 4, 2000 and reports to Assistant County Manager Rod Visser. Initial appointment is for the Fax: (919) 644-3009 remainder of the current term of outgoing Revenue Director/Tax Collector Ginger Rolfe through June 30, 2001. . Prepared by: Elaine Holmes, As Orange County Revenue DirectorrT'ax Collector Personnel Director Roberson will direct tax and other revenue collection programs of the County .and, under contract, tax collection e-mail: eholmes@co.orange.nc.us for three municipalities (Chapel Hill, Carrboro and Hillsborough). These annual County and municipal taxlrevenue collections total about $95 million.. Roberson presently is Tax Collection Supervisor for Rockingham County.. She has over 18 years tax collection experience at the County IeveL She has extensive training in tax collections through the Institute of Government and is certified through the State of North Carolina as a Deputy Tax Collector. The County used an assessment panel to assist in the selection process.. The Panel was made up of Rod Visser, Assistant County Manager, Ken Chavious, Orange County Finance Director, John Smith, Orange County Tax Assessor, Bill Campbell, Institute of Government Professor and Lila (Bing) Roenigk, Carrboro Assistant Town Manager. County Manager John Link said: "I am very impressed with Jo's experience and energetic perspective to her chosen profession. She comes highly recommended and I am very pleased that she has accepted this position. Page 2 of 2 Assistant County Manager Rod Visser said: "Jo was the top choice of our assessment panel. She has advanced in her career through a series of promotions to positions of increasing responsibility. She has been particularly effective in her work with Rockingham County over the past several years in improving delinquent tax collections. I'm very pleased that Jo has accepted the Revenue Director/Tax Collector appointment with Orange County. Roberson said: "I am thrilled to be joining the fine staff of the Orange County Revenue Department. I look forward to serving the taxpayers of Orange County in a positive and professional manner."