County declines tax‑penalty waiver request, cites state statute and will respond in writing

A resident asked the committee to waive or credit a 1.5% monthly penalty and interest totaling $281.63 on a property tax account. County staff explained installment deadlines and a five‑day grace period; staff and corporate counsel said state statute prescribes interest and penalty rules and limits local authority to waive those charges.

County staff cautioned that waiving penalties could create a precedent and noted the law would need to be changed through the county association and state legislature. Corporate counsel answered questions about legal exposure and noted the committee must follow state statute in its response. The committee did not grant the requested waiver; staff will provide a written response to the taxpayer explaining the county's lack of authority to waive the statutory penalty amount.

"The law really doesn't allow the board to really waive it as well because it is by state statute," a county official said during discussion. The committee recorded that there was no action to grant the waiver and that staff would file and respond to the request.