Letter to the Editor-Weirich

September 10, 2004

Dear Editor:

This letter is in regards to the Minutes of the County Commissioners dated 7-27-2004 published in the Kiowa County Press 8-27-2004.

If anyone notices, The County Board of Equalization meeting which is for the taxpayer to have the right to complain about their valuation and taxes and for the County Assessor to defend the valuation she has placed on this property. However, the Clerk and Recorder refers to the taxpayers, Roger Bentley and Chuck and Sherry Bowen and the County Assessor as the "Audience" at our meeting. I call it our meeting because - HAD Roger Bentley and Chuck and Sherry Bowen NOT questioned their valuation and taxes and requested their "Due Process" as taxpayers to have the right to voice their opinions and concerns, there would not have been a County Board of Equalization Board meeting. I am offended that Roger Bentley, Chuck and Sherry Bowen and the County Assessor were referred to as the "Audience".

I also requested that the Administrative Intern not be present in the County Board of Equalization meeting. He is not a taxpayer in Kiowa County, and he has no official capacity whatsoever. The County Board of Equalization Meeting should have consisted of the County Commissioners, the Clerk and Recorder to take minutes, Roger Bentley, Taxpayer, Chuck and Sherry Bowen, Taxpayers and the County Assessor. Had there been a major problem between the Taxpayer(s) and the Assessor, there might have been an attorney or arbitrator present. Basically, the Board of Equalization should have been conducted in a more professional manner. Roger Bentley, Chuck and Sherry Bowen and the County Assessor were not at this meeting observing the Commissioners as the "Audience", we had a right to be there in our said capacities.

I personally think an apology is owed to Roger Bentley, Taxpayer, Chuck and Sherry Bowen, Taxpayers, and the County Assessor for the total lack of respect shown in the minutes of the meeting. Also, I like to mention the fact that the real complaint that Roger Bentley and Chuck and Sherry Bowen had were the amount of taxes being paid. Their concern is how can anyone keep a business or want to bring a business into Eads with the taxes so high. If we are going to report the minutes of the County Board of Equalization, I think the minutes should be reported correctly.

Remember, the Taxpayers of Kiowa County keep this County functioning, not the elected officials.

Penny Weirich
Kiowa County Assessor