Police Jury gets complaints about tax collection

• By MARILYN GOFF
• Special to The Advocate
• Published: Nov 3, 2009 - Page: 5B

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CLINTON — Two local businessmen complained Monday to the East Feliciana Police Jury about the poor practices of collecting occupational license taxes.

Although the Police Jury took no action, Police Jury President Louis Kent said the sheriff collects the taxes and “he (the sheriff) dropped the ball.”

Sheriff Talmadge Bunch did not attend Monday’s meeting.

Police Juror Larry Beauchamp, of Clinton, said the parish was aware of the problem, but the letter the sheriff sent to collect the delinquent taxes allowed the business owners to pay the present year and the past three years.

Interest and penalties have been dropped, added Judith Kelly, parish manager.

The men lodging the complaints said they had concerns with the way the occupational licenses taxes are collected and the fact they had not been notified about the taxes in years.

Ray Williams, owner of Williams Store on La. 19, said until he received a certified letter from the sheriff saying he owed thousands of dollars in taxes, he was not aware he owed the money.

Donald Charlet, of Corbel Architecture on U.S. 61, said his business was 40 percent off this year and paying the money the sheriff says he owes will be a serious issue.

Williams said he had not received a bill since 1997.

Charlet said he had not received a tax bill since he and his brother opened their business four years ago.

In other action Monday, the Police Jury:

• Agreed to pay 20 percent of a $558,000 matching capital outlay grant to improve parts of Beechgrove Road and Turner Lane.

Financial adviser Phil Graham said the money is a good investment and he will work on the budget to make certain the matching funds are available, provided the grant is awarded.