Randy McMurphy (third from left) and Bob Seivert (right) discuss how public service company tax protests are handled by the state. Also at the meeting are Assessor Renetta Benson (left) and County Clerk Shelley Reed.
The Woods County Tax Roll Corrections Board met Wednesday morning with all members present. Board members are County Commissioner Randy McMurphy, County Assessor Renetta Benson and Bob Seivert.
After approving the special meeting minutes of April 15, 2020, the board members discussed and approved corrections to assessed value for the 2020 tax roll. The first involved a business moving out of one location and into another. Both locations were originally assessed. Benson said the two owners split with one moving away and the other opening the business at the new address. This resulted in a change of negative $1,555 assessed value and lowering the net tax by $111. That correction was approved.
Three entities considered to be public service companies protested their Woods County assessments. McMurphy said these are centrally assessed meaning they turn in their taxes to the Oklahoma Tax Commission. While the county makes the initial assessment, the company can protest and that litigation is handled by the state. McMurphy expressed displeasure with the system, and Seivert concurred.
McMurphy said these companies are supposed to pay almost double what others pay in ad valorem taxes, but after the protests are settled they end up paying less than others. Counties can't even see the evidence used by the companies in their protests. The state ruled that it would be unfair to these companies to make their information public because competitors could see it.
Benson said she tells those expecting to receive those revenues being protested not to count on them because "you don't know what's going to happen."
The company identified as 92, began with an assessed value of $6,032,855 in Woods County with taxes of $437,438. The new assessed value is $2,030,143 with net taxes of $147,204. This company is in Alva and Waynoka school districts, which lose money from the settlement. In addition to school districts, the taxes also go to the county and the health department.
Company 89 affects Alva, Freedom and Waynoka school districts. The old assessed value was $608,939 with tax of $49,313. The new assessed value is $444,361 with taxes of $35,985.
Company 118 involves Alva, Waynoka and J-4M which is Cleo Springs. This company was originally assessed at $2,952,941 with taxes of $219,394. The new assessed value is $1,968,627 with taxes of $146,262.
Benson explained the final correction involved the Avard Rail Park TIF area and the Waynoka school district. The assessor's office wasn't told about one company leaving the rail park and another leasing that building. The previous business was assessed and billed for the taxes. That's when her office learned about the change. The new company did not do an annual assessment with Woods County so they will be assessed a penalty. Their tax was $758 with a penalty of $152 for a total of $910.
Seivert asked if there are still protest cases in court waiting for settlement. Benson said there are still four.
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