By JESSICA BRICKER
Later this month the county commissioners plan to address concerns about alleged actions of the county assessor and the Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals while the assessor contemplates filing appeals with the state over recent reassessments of self-storage properties.
All three appointees to the board addressed the Wells County Council Tuesday evening after the PTABOA President Judy Affolder, the council’s lone appointment to the board, explained how the board and assessor got to this point after concerns of wrongdoing were brought forth by the newest appointee, Chandler Gerber. The discussion and following rebuttals combined for more than an hour of the meeting and also included the third and final member, Larry McChessney.
About a month ago, Gerber publicly shared his concerns regarding the other board members and the assessor following a January PTABOA meeting. After the meeting — which apparently failed to audio record so there’s no full version of the meeting accessible — assessments were allegedly altered and did not reflect the board’s actions, resulting in higher assessments. An effort to reconvene the meeting was halted when the commissioners attempted to suspend their two appointments — Gerber and McChessney — to the board until the matter could be further investigated.
At the county council meeting last week, Affolder — an Adams County resident — was unable to recall how long she has served on the board and the council members were in agreement that it was their first time meeting her and her them.
Affolder said she was concerned about Gerber’s lack of experience while making the accusations that he’s brought forth. She denied that she and McChessney worked together with Assessor Kelly Herman — who sat beside Affolder as she addressed the council — to change the assessed values.
“That is totally untrue,” Affolder said.
She said she only heard portions of Gerber’s motions during the January meeting, noting she later discovered they were “improper” motions that should not have been acted on.
When asked why she seconded the motions and voted in favor when she didn’t hear all of what was proposed, she said she has no recourse for her actions.
“I don’t know (why),” she said. “It was a confusing time.”
Later, McChessney admitted he should not have voted on the motions but did so — in favor of all but one — anyway.
The motions involved modifying some numbers in multiple cases the board was reviewing. Gerber has made public statements that Herman had acknowledged during the hearing that the motions he made followed state law — that the assessment method producing the lowest numbers must be followed.
Herman said she noted that during the January meeting she was unable to adjust the figures as per the motion. At a later date in her office with Gerber and County Attorney Colin Andrews present, she said she had to manipulate the data to reflect the figures she was asked to produce.
Herman said she is considering appealing the matter to the state, which would require the use of tax money to help prepare those appeals.
Affolder said moving forward, the motion process needs changed to better specify and clarify for everyone’s sake what the motions are and the board needs access to better technology and software on location during meetings.
Affolder and McChessney also both said Gerber should not have signed PTABOA documents a week after he was apparently removed from the board by the commissioners, but Gerber said he was directed to do so by Andrews.
A meeting of the PTABOA scheduled for today, March 14, was postponed until the morning of April 11. Gerber said there was confusion about him still being able to serve on the board and whether or not the April meeting can be held as scheduled because the board’s status was in limbo.
But Andrews said Tuesday that the removals of Gerber and McChessney were done by the commissioners in February pending his legal review and cited “miscommunication issues” that led to the impression that the PTABOA had been suspended and that two members had formally been removed.
Gerber addressed the council at the end of Tuesday’s discussion, telling the members that the others involved have admitted to missteps and to being confused but that his story hasn’t changed since bringing his concerns to the public.
He said his motions were clear to avoid any confusion, and if his fellow PTABOA members were confused by what was proposed they should not have voted on the matters.
Friday, Andrews issued a statement on behalf of the commissioners, who plan to address concerns at their March 21 meeting.
“Over the past several weeks, the Wells County Commissioners have been actively monitoring and evaluating the actions of the Wells County assessor and Property Tax Assessment Board of Appeals,” the statement said. “The commissioners are deeply concerned about the allegations regarding the activities of these offices and members. In addition, the commissioners will remain strongly committed to government transparency, a high standard of ethics for all officials, and the protection of the taxpayers of Wells County. As information continues to be gained, the commissioners further restate their intention to take necessary, public action if the commissioners determine such action would be beneficial to the people of Wells County.”
Those from the public wishing to comment on the matter can contact the commissioners or attend public meetings as scheduled, Andrews said.
“Fair and just treatment of Wells County citizens is the greatest priority of the Wells County commissioners. The commissioners pledge to continue investigation and analysis of the current situation and will update the public as these activities progress,” the statement concluded.
jessica@news-banner.com
