Lenoir City tax bill delay cause

A delay in distribution of this year’s Lenoir City property tax bills was described by one city employee as a “perfect storm.”

The city’s tax bills have traditionally been sent out in the mail toward the beginning of October. Many residents didn’t see a bill this year until some time later.

At the regular meeting of Lenoir City Council on Oct. 24, Finance Director Maggie Hunt told council about the delay and a claim the city was purposefully withholding bills until after the Nov. 8 election.

There are three open seats on council being sought by three incumbents and three challengers.

Hunt said she received a phone call from District 5 Loudon County Commissioner Van Shaver the week before the Oct. 24 council meeting questioning if there was a “conspiracy” that the city was holding bills until after the election. Hunt said she explained to Shaver the delay was due to several factors, including a switch to a new printing company.

Shaver confirmed on his personal blog that he did ask a city official about the issue. He wrote while there was “no reason to doubt this information,” some in Lenoir City think the tax bills were held up so voters do not get a possible increase before the election.

“I just wanted our citizens to know that it was in no way Mayor (Tony Aikens) and city council’s fault,” Hunt said. “If they want to call me, I can show them my emails. I can show them the problems I have. I don’t mind. But I just wanted to explain that because I know this misinformation is out there.”

Aikens, City Administrator Amber Scott Kelso and Councilman Eddie Simpson condemned Shaver for inquiring about the accusation. City Recorder and Treasurer James Wilburn III called Shaver’s assertion appalling.

Shaver was not present at the meeting. He wrote on his blog that Lenoir City residents live in his commission district and it’s his responsibility to try to answer their questions and concerns.

Hunt said the reason for the delay was the result of several factors.

“It’s like a perfect storm,” she said.

Hunt said the company the city previously used to create and print property tax bills went out of business and the city switched to a new company, County Record Services, in Nashville. Several other counties and cities in the state were forced to make the same change, she said.

The sudden influx of new customers, delays by other property assessors, supply-chain issues, miscommunication and Hunt accidentally returning the proof late caused a delay in distribution.

County Record Services bought a new printer to assist but still informed customers across the state to expect delays.

Hunt said she went to Kelso as soon as she knew to explain the situation and sent daily emails and calls to the company to make sure the bills arrived before the election.

“There was communications that got dropped,” Hunt said. “It is what it is, and we got them out. That’s what I’m proud of. We got them out. I lost a lot of sleep over it. But when I found out it was hitting people’s mailbox on Saturday — I mean, I talked to the owner last week and I said, are we up? Are we next? Can we get pushed on up? We worked together and worked it out.”

Wilburn told council his office generates property tax bills. He said a lot of bits and pieces go into printing and if one wheel does not work it slows the whole process.

“I’ve got the best group of people that I could ever wish for, (but) we got caught up in some circumstances that’s beyond our control,” Wilburn said. “You’ve got until February, the end of February, to pay them. I know people like to get them out, and I like to get mine paid as soon as I get them, but it was out of our control.”

Hunt said the city and County Record Services will be more prepared next year.