Stuck with the bill
Calvin Ricketts, Emporia
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
MOW ORDERS were incurred on property that we purchased in December of 2007 — in June and July of 2007 City sent the special assessment to the county six days too late to get on the 2007 taxes.
County sent it back to the city and the city told the county clerk to put it on the 2008 taxes.
The mow orders did not get caught by the title insurance company since they were not posted in the county records until March 2008.
We were not aware of this special assessment until we received the tax statement for 2008.
When I contacted the city clerk about this issue, she told me that the assessment is against the property and not against the person who incurred the mow orders.
The title insurance company contacted the city attorney on our behalf who said he would take care of it. It was the last day to pay the first half of the taxes and nothing had been done. I had to pay the taxes or incur a penalty.
I stopped by the city attorney’s office that day and he was in a meeting. Left phone numbers for him to contact us. Unfortunately, he must still be in a meeting since we have not heard from him.
I strongly suggest anyone buying or having bought a property in the city to contact the city clerk’s office to see if there are any special assessments that have not been posted at the county or else you, like us, may get a big surprise on your next tax bill.
Why does the city not go after the person who incurred the debt instead of a new owner almost a year after the property was purchased?
Calvin Ricketts
Emporia
madpoet (anonymous) says...
Sounds like typical government efficiency! I'd call the city attorney every day until you get a hold of him. He should have to reimburse you since he said he would take care of it but didn't. I doubt he will though. Good luck!
March 25, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
b3bill (anonymous) says...
What a bunch of crap. When the property was transacted with a clear title and no back taxes, that should be the basis for the purchase. I'm sure money was paid for all this to be searched before purchase was made.
I'd call the title insurance co. and insist they get you full reimbursement. They and the city att'y had the discussion and reached agreement. Title ins co should have records to indicate agreement of the city att'y. They're a big outfit and would probably be listened to by the city att'y more than an individual.
Should that fail, I would call up city att'y office, and set up a meeting at his office. I would not agree to discussion over the phone.
Good luck. I hope the city att'y will prove through arranging for full reimbursement that he is man of his word.
March 25, 2009 at 11:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
intheknow (anonymous) says...
This is typical of Emporia, good luck on getting your money back! I hope that all is made right but I won't hold my breath.... good luck...
March 27, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )