He says "the current treasurer is now pushing for his plan
to accelerate foreclosures, saying that money will help
run government departments."
to accelerate foreclosures, saying that money will help
run government departments."
My Opponent does not bother to check facts
| Elect John Harelson, CPA, Treasurer, Josephine County |
The truth is that the legal remedies of ORS 312.122 are not available without
the Board of Commissioners taking action to adopt an ordinance.
And as Dwight Ellis said recently in the Grants Pass Daily Courier in response
to my opponent's false claims: "It's a misunderstood issue that was dealt with
in 2005 by doing nothing. It's a non-issue."
Oregon Statutes (ORS 312.122) lays out the process for a "Reduced
redemption period when property subjected to waste or abandonment;"
Check out the: Link to the Rules of Tax Foreclosure ORS 312
My opponent has not bothered to learn:
- 2 were buildings on leased land,
- 1 was an abandoned house and lot, and
- 1 was an inaccessible home site.
None of these properties were occupied by an owner.
When he says "It's Heartless. It's Wrong." tell him to get his
facts straight.
When he tells you he is going to be the Josephine County
Tax Collector, ask him why the Commissioner should appoint
him to the position.
When he tells you he is qualified to be Josephine County
Treasurer and the steward of YOUR money, ask him about his
financial management experience.
Ask him why he wants to video record the Board of
Commissioner's public meetings rather than doing the
Treasurer's work. Ask him if he understands what the job is
about.
the Board of Commissioners taking action to adopt an ordinance.
And as Dwight Ellis said recently in the Grants Pass Daily Courier in response
to my opponent's false claims: "It's a misunderstood issue that was dealt with
in 2005 by doing nothing. It's a non-issue."
Oregon Statutes (ORS 312.122) lays out the process for a "Reduced
redemption period when property subjected to waste or abandonment;"
Check out the: Link to the Rules of Tax Foreclosure ORS 312
My opponent has not bothered to learn:
- A property would have a minimum of 5 years of delinquent property
taxes before it would ever be subject to ORS 312.122. More than 19
first class and certified mail notices are sent to delinquent property
accounts prior to foreclosure judgement. A list of properties subject to
tax foreclosure is published in newspapers in August each year.
- The due processes of ORS 312.122, required information gathering,
required notices, required hearings and board actions, would give
property owners more than 75 days to clear up their delinquent tax bill.
- Proceeds from the sale of tax foreclosed property must be
distributed to all taxing districts in proportion to the current years
distribution percentages, after "reimbursing the County for costs and
expenses incurred by the county". See the: Link to ORS 275
- ORS 275 and other statutes prohibits the County from mis-using
money from the sale of tax foreclosed lands for general fund
purposes or any other purpose such as funding law enforcement.
However, tax foreclosed lands dedicated for County Park purposes may
be sold and the proceeds used only for the maintenance or
improvement of existing parklands or the purchase of new parklands.
- In 2008, one lot was deeded to the county due to foreclosure. In the
previous 5 years, a total of 10 properties were deeded to the county:
- 2 were buildings on leased land,
- 1 was an abandoned house and lot, and
- 1 was an inaccessible home site.
None of these properties were occupied by an owner.
- In 1997, my first year in office, foreclosure judgements were placed on
43 properties, 4 were deeded to the County, none were owner-
occupied. In 2007 only 7 properties went to foreclosure judgement, and
I will work hard to make sure that no home-sites are deeded to the
county.
- The Tax Collector is personally liable to the taxing districts if property tax
collection and foreclosure laws are not followed, causing any revenue
losses to the taxing districts.
- The Tax Collector is an appointed position and only a qualified person
would be appointed to the position by the Board of County
Commissioners. THE TAX COLLECTOR JOB IS NOT A CEREMONIAL
POSITION.
When he says "It's Heartless. It's Wrong." tell him to get his
facts straight.
When he tells you he is going to be the Josephine County
Tax Collector, ask him why the Commissioner should appoint
him to the position.
When he tells you he is qualified to be Josephine County
Treasurer and the steward of YOUR money, ask him about his
financial management experience.
Ask him why he wants to video record the Board of
Commissioner's public meetings rather than doing the
Treasurer's work. Ask him if he understands what the job is
about.
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