By JESSICA BRICKER
The Wells County Commissioners have removed a longtime member of the county’s property tax assessment board of appeals.
It was action unofficially first set in motion earlier this year when the commissioners’ newest appointment to the board, Chandler Gerber, publicly shared concerns he had with the two other board appointments — one other made by the commissioners, Larry McChessney, and one by the county council, Judy Affolder — as well as allegations of misconduct by the county assessor, Kelly Herman.
Citing some of these issues, County Attorney Colin Andrews sent McChessney a certified letter earlier this month notifying him of potential concerns with him continuing to serve on the PTABOA. Monday would have served as a public hearing for his removal but McChessney reportedly did not make contact with Andrews prior to the meeting and was not present Monday. McChessney had indicated via signature that he received the notice but did not reach out in writing or via phone, Andrews said.
Commissioner Jeff Stringer said given how McChessney did not appear at Monday’s meeting and hadn’t responded to Andrews’ communication, as well as following his March Wells County Council appearance alongside Herman and Affolder, Stringer made the motion to remove McChessney from the PTABOA and review other applicants to take his place. It was unanimously approved by Michael Vanover and Blake Gerber voting in favor as well.
At the council meeting last month, McChessney and Affolder acknowledged there was confusion on their part about some of the items they were voting on and that they shouldn’t have voted like they did on the property tax re-assessments. The commissioners then approved documents that establish a process of removal of PTABOA members.
The PTABOA meets again in May and Andrews said he has heard that a “fair amount” of people have asked about being appointed to the board. The commissioners said they would review and/or solicit additional applications for the position.
Later in the meeting there was some discussion about necessary qualifications for the appointment and it was noted the commissioners have home rule when it comes to waving some of the requirements spelled out in state law, such as certain levels of assessment certifications required of at least one member of the board.
jessica@news-banner.com
