County wouldn't aid tax protest

Dear editor:

Let me just open with saying that I have no problem with paying my fair share of taxes, but will not hesitate to stand up and make my voice heard when I feel wronged.

In September of 2012, I purchased a home, which I felt was assessed way too high in regards to property tax. Upon closing on this property, I brought it to the attention of the tax assessor's office and I did have an employee from that office come to look at the property. I was told I would have to wait until June 2013 to contest the tax, as this would be the time frame in which the new assessments would come out.

In early June, I again went to the assessor's office and got the forms necessary to contest the assessment. I filled out the forms, as well as obtained numerous comparable property values to show how out-of-wack the assessment was.

I was told I would be contacted to appear in front of the Elmore County Commissioners at a later date to present my case. On Wednesday, June 26, I was contacted and was told that the hearing would be the following Tuesday at 9a.m. Seeing that there was a conflict, my wife called requesting a later date, only to be told that the date could not be rescheduled.

On June 28, I spoke with one of the county commissioners, explaining why I could not attend and asked for another meeting where I could present my case. I was told that he would talk to the other commissioners and get back with me.

When I, of course, did not get a call back, I sent an e-mail to the Clerk's office on July 6, only to receive a reply back on July 9 that "due to strict tax appeal deadlines, they will not be able to schedule an appeal for you."

It would seem that there was no time to schedule a hearing, which is all I asked for.

So in closing, I want to know when our public servants made the public their servants?

-- Robert Mott