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MAGNOLIA — The Town of Magnolia approved a resolution to publish the names of 15 people who owe taxes at its Sept. 10 town hall meeting.
Town Manager Charles “Twig” Rollins shared that the town has tried to contact them but has not had any luck. He also asked the Board to approve a motion to start conversations with a law firm to handle the tax foreclosure proceedings. Currently, the town is owed about $20,000 by the people on the list. Rollins shared that they had about 70 people last year.
“It’s getting real serious here. I’d hate for somebody to lose their piece of property over $181 in taxes,” Rollins said.
“In most cases, it doesn’t cost us a dime,” Rollins explained. “If we have to sign a contract, certainly the board would have to approve that, but they take care of everything and even get their lawyer’s fees back.”
Rollins encourages people who owe taxes to go to the town hall and settle the debt to avoid foreclosure.
“The property owner can stop the foreclosure, but to stop the foreclosure, they’ll have to pay their back taxes,” said Rollins. “The sooner they pay, the sooner they stop that proceeding, the less money it costs.”
Other topics discussed at the meeting:
The Board approved resolutions to apply for funding for the following projects:
- Automatic meter infrastructure;
- Newberry Pump Station replacement;
- 2024 sewer rope rehabilitation replacement;
- A water supply well replacement and
- The wastewater treatment plant improvement
Joe McKemey, a project engineer with McDavid Associates, explained that the applications were to reapply for funding and keep the treatment plant compliant.
“The applications are automatically considered in the next funding round, but you’ve recently raised your water and sewer rates, and that’s going to increase your points,” McKemey said. “This funding is always very competitive. Sometimes, two points can make a difference between being and not being funded.”
The town manager also provided updates on the 64-year-old well that is undergoing repairs. Rollins explained that the well has a six-inch pipe that goes down 360 feet, which, over time, rusted.
“Sand got in the pipe, and we started pumping sand. That’s when we knew we had a problem,” he explained. “We’re going to try to pull that six-inch out and re-sleeve; if they are successful, they will go back and pump in our same amount of gallons per minute. However, if they’re not, they’re going to put a smaller pipe in, which will bea four-inch pipe, which will decrease our gallons per minute.”
Rollins also shared that they plan to meet with legislators soon to discuss the possibility of getting some earmarked money if they cannot secure a grant. He also mentioned the need for matching funds for the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund (PARTF) grant so they can apply next year to renovate the gym. He mentioned raising taxes as a possible way to get the money needed for the match.
Marco Barrientos, a Lead for North Carolina fellow from the School of Government serving in Magnolia, presented a proposed draft of the land use survey, and shared that he will be creating a Spanish version for the town’s Spanish-speaking residents.
Rollins recommended that the Board reactivate the planning board. “If not, then y’all are going to become the planning board, and that can become very politically contentious,” said Rollins. “Y’all still have the ultimate authority to overturn a planning board’s decision, but it’s best practice to have a planning board. If it’s your pleasure, bring a name next month of somebody who’s willing to serve.”
