To the Editor:

Despite the best efforts of reporters, a newspaper article will not contain the entire story. This letter to the editor is in defense of the Haywood County Tax Office. I work there.

Morale: Contrary to what you may read, the morale in the office is high. The tax collection clerks agree with the policies of the office, which were established by Tax Collector Mike Matthews when he took office. These policies are to treat everyone who walks into the office or calls on the telephone with helpfulness, compassion and courtesy.

Interest: With the approval of either the tax collector or the deputy tax collector, the clerks did occasionally remove interest. This was done with the belief that the elected tax collector and deputy tax collector had the authority to make such decisions. We have no knowledge of missing codes. Only someone with an intimate knowledge of Keystone, the computer software used to collect and process tax payments, could go undetected in manipulating or removing codes from the Keystone record.

Training: Our training is three days of lectures and an exam in all aspects of property tax assessment and collection law. Again, education helps, but it does not prepare you for the multitude of unusual questions and situations you encounter daily. On-the-job training, what you learn from more experienced employees, is essential. Other collection clerks train us, and co-workers in other departments generously answer our questions. Referencing the Machinery Act, a 399-page book of law that governs property tax assessment and collection, happens often.

Performance: Mike’s record as tax collector speaks for itself. When he took office, he was given a property tax collection rate goal of 96.96 percent by the county manager and the commissioners. He has exceeded that goal every year with collection rates above 97 percent and surpassed all the collection rates of the previous administration. In addition, Mike has drastically reduced total outstanding delinquencies. Please judge the effectiveness of the tax collection office for yourself by speaking with Mike or requesting a more detailed copy of collection rates for tax years 2009 through 2018 from office personnel.

While results are important, Mike takes pride in the way his office works with taxpayers, giving them every opportunity to pay these tax bills in a manner consistent with the taxpayer’s circumstances. The election of a good man to the position of tax collector, a man who makes decisions based on respect for and fair treatment of taxpayers, is highly desired and makes the government responsive to the people.

Politics: Election years bring change in workplace dynamics. Understandably, people want their candidate to win, but some purposely use character assassination and actively work to prevent the incumbent’s efficiency in office. I have no desire to defend accusations and insinuations made in newspaper articles or to air behind the scenes, political intrigues in a public forum, but a good man is being maligned and his office is being hampered from doing its job effectively. 

The tax collection office is operating to the best of our ability despite the partisan politics swirling around us.

Cindy Chaffy

Maggie Valley