Delinquent Business and Occupation taxes has been a hot topic around town lately, and so it was also at Saturday’s special work session of the city council. Councilmen Jim Insco and Tom McCallister acknowledged that Finance Director Bob Wilhelm had a list of who owed the city back taxes.
City attorney Ted Morgan said that the city has made deals with some businesses for their delinquent taxes. He said that the city attorney and the Director of Finance are the ones who negotiate the deals with the businesses. When asked if there was a written policy concerning this, Morgan said that there was, but he was unsure as to where that policy is stated.
“The accounting system we have in place is atrocious,” said Morgan. Council chairman Cal Kent asked Morgan if there was a master list of the deals and arrangements made, and Morgan said there wasn’t.
“So we don’t know whether it’s ten deals, or 100 deals, or 1,000 deals,”? asked Kent. Morgan said that was true.
Insco then asked Morgan if he knew of anyone who has been forgiven their fees and tax debt completely. “Not to my knowledge,” said Morgan. Insco then asked Morgan what he would do if it could be shown that has happened.
“I would take it across the to the sheriff,” said Morgan. Morgan said that if there were a compromise or a deal cut that he and the Finance Director would know about it.
McCallister said it has been alleged that the Huntington Municipal Development Authority has forgiven $10,000 in fees/taxes for the Huntington Industrial Center. Kent, who is on the HMDA board, said he was unaware of any fees or taxes being forgiven for the HIC.
A recent ordinance of council prevents any business who owes back taxes from renewing their business license. A fine of up to $500 per day can be assessed on a business operating without a license.