Published WC Delinquent Tax list omitted some owing most

What a coincidence – what did you say the name of that IT contractor was, Wanda??

At a Nov. 1 work session, Warren County Treasurer Wanda Bryant revealed that a problem she identified as an IT glitch deleted names from the County Delinquent Real Estate Tax list published in the Northern Virginia Daily the previous week.

Discussion indicated the deleted names included many who have the largest Delinquent Tax debt to the County.  Bryant said the mistake occurred when a County IT contractor transferred the full list to a PDF file for transmission to the newspaper for publication.

“I didn’t see [debts] of more than $1,200, $1,300 – I know some are lots more than that,” Happy Creek Supervisor Tony Carter observed.  Publication of the list was brought to the agenda by Carter, who questioned cost versus return.  County Administrator Doug Stanley said a significant discount lowering cost of publication of the four-page list from $4,000 to $1,400, prompted the decision to publish.

With the mistake attributed to a contractor NOT paid for specific tasks, how to deal with publication of the incomplete list remained unresolved.  The board did not appear to want to repay for publication of the full list, which it was commented might run another page and a half or thereabouts.  It was not clear if the IT consultant’s contract could mandate they cover cost of republication necessitated by an error on their end.

Moving on to other concerns, Carter wondered at the effectiveness of such publication; and if the intent was to “shame people” on the delinquent list.

“I don’t think it’s trying to shame people – it’s a fact, and some people just don’t care (if they owe back taxes),” Bryant replied.

Carter pointed to the personal experience of a family member who once mistakenly appeared on such a delinquent tax list, while only having an overdue utility bill.

“It has some merit,” Carter admitted of publication as a collection tool, “we just need to figure out how to track the result.”  Fork District Supervisor Archie Fox suggested tracking back-tax payments in years with and without publication of the delinquent list – “Does that make sense to you?” Fox asked Bryant, who is his sister.

“Yes,” she replied.

Carter also questioned how many people still actually pick up hard copy newspapers, or if in the modern world of Internet and Phone Apps there was a more result-oriented and cost-effective ways to get more bang for the County’s buck.

An overall policy change to a more aggressive pursuit of back Real Estate Taxes was also discussed.  Withholding permits for development of lots with back taxes owed was suggested.

A consensus was reached to advertise for a January Public Hearing on a Code change that would mandate owners catch up on taxes before permits are issued for development of their lots.  It was suggested that the local Builders Association be alerted, so they could comment at the Public Hearing.  It was observed that many of their members could be most impacted by such a County policy change.

Editor’s Note: The Royal Examiner will publish the Warren County Delinquent Tax List in its entirety–at no charge–if it is provided by Warren County Treasurer Wanda Bryant.