Alva Review-Courier -

The Woods County Excise and Equalization Board held meetings on Wednesday, June 21, at the county courthouse in Alva. Chairman Joe Shirley opened the meeting with board members Chris Olson and Bob Seivert present. Also present were Assessor Renetta Benson and County Clerk Shelley Reed.

Members first met as the equalization board for one of the three official dates offered for protests of tax assessments to be heard. The other hearings are set for July 12 and July 19.

Reed listed three companies that have filed protests: Targa Pipeline Mid-Con West OK, SemGas and Redline Energy LLC who were informed of this first meeting. None of them attended the meeting.

Reed said she heard from SandRidge that they are filing a protest. Since it was too late for them to be notified of the June 21 meeting, she may need to offer an alternate date so they can a choice of three dates for hearing.

With no hearings, the equalization board was adjourned. The same board members then met as the excise board.

Excise Board

After approving minutes of the May 24 meeting, the board looked at monthly appropriations. Seivert asked why the District 1 highway cash was so much higher than the other two districts. Reed said District 1 sold some equipment so they could buy new equipment. The following monthly appropriations were approved:

District #1 Highway Cash $312,212.39

District #2 Highway Cash $132,212.37

District #3 Highway Cash $135,712.37

District #1 CBRI Fund-105 $15,870.67

District #2 CBRI Fund-105 $15,870.66

District #3 CBRI Fund-105 $15,870.66

Enhanced 911 $17,789.17

Assessor Fee $348.50

County Clerk’s Lien Fee $2,221.62

County Clerk’s Preservation Fee $1,790.00

Sheriff’s Revolving Fund $50.00

Court Clerk Salary $4,238.87

Treasurer’s Resale $4,433.56

Sheriff’s Commissary $147.29

Sheriff’s Service Fee & CHS $6,231.67

Mortgage Tax $85.00

Federal Rescue Plan Act of 2021 $14,813.47

Court Clerk RM & P $340.00

Assessor’s Reports

Benson said she took the annual abstract report to Oklahoma City last week. She said personal tax assessments were up approximately $9 million and real estate was up about $3 million. However, figures won’t be complete until the public service amounts are approved by the state.

Benson also reported that annual homestead exemptions claimed are down by seven and additional homestead exemptions are down four. Those with annual household income below $25,000 may apply for the additional exemption. Benson said the income level was raised this year; previously it was $20,000. Homestead exemptions help homeowners to save money on taxes. Benson said there have been a lot of people moving and home sales don’t seem to be slowing down.

Temporary Appropriations

Several entities have filed their temporary appropriations for fiscal year 2023-2024. Six reports were approved by separate unanimous votes:

Woods County – $9,515,018.89 which is 80% of last years’ budget

Woods County Health Department – $1,207,657.44

Alva Independent School District #1 – General Fund $13,975,923; Building Fund $3,033,423; Child Nutrition Fund $668,764; Gift Fund $315,000

Waynoka Independent School District #3 – General Fund $11,026,692; Building Fun $2,510,617; Bond Fund 32 $400,000

Freedom Independent School District #6 – General Fund $1,186,896; Building Fund $143,372; Child Nutrition Fund $28,358

Northwest Technology Center #V-10 – General Fund $11,828,000; Building Fund $3,499,000

No action was taken on the Town of Dacoma or the Town of Freedom since the county clerk has not received their temporary appropriations yet.

Transfers Acknowledged

Board members acknowledged three sets of transfers of appropriations for the county. District 1 transferred $16,433.18 from highway CIRB to highway personal services. District 2 transferred $16,433.17 from highway CIRB to highway personal services.

Due to a statutory travel increase from the passage of Senate Bill 951, $300 each was transferred from general sales tax countywide travel to the sheriff, treasurer, county clerk, court clerk and assessor.

Also acknowledged was a transfer from general rural water to general sales tax M&O of $1,683.89 due to completion of a REAP grant project. This was the amount not used for the project.

Wisdom Subpoena

Under new business Reed told the board they would have a formal appeal meeting on July 12 with SandRidge. They discussed subpoenaing consultant Jerry Wisdom for the meeting which is the only way he will be allowed to attend under new laws. Seivert made a motion to subpoena Wisdom for this and all formal appeals this year. Olson seconded, and the motion carried.