Local appointed to tax review board

Local property owners may get some attention in their favor now that Washoe County Commissioners appointed Incline resident John Krolick to the Board of Equalization last week.

"It's a major event," said Incline Village resident Ted Harris. "It's about time things went our direction."

Prior to the commissioner's meeting last week, Washoe County Commissioner Jim Galloway said having someone from Incline Village, someone aware of the unique characteristics inherent to local homeowners, is important.

Krolick was appointed to replace Ina Haupt who began serving on the BOE in July. She sent her resignation letter to the Board of Commissioners on Nov. 19, citing personal reasons for resigning.

Krolick will serve the remainder of her term.

"I urged Jim to include John on the board," Harris said. "I'm very happy with that appointment."

He said he's pleased with Galloway's support of Incline residents.

"The addition of Krolick on the board will benefit taxpayers," he said.

BOE chairman Steven Sparks agreed.

"I think it's a great idea to have someone from Incline on the board," he said.

Sparks gave Galloway credit for the appointment.

"Jim really worked hard," he said. "It's Jim's extra effort that has given us a qualified new board member."

In addition to Haupt's resignation, Harris said three previous BOE members who had been affiliated with the assessor's office resigned last year as well. They tended to "rubber stamp" anything the assessor's office presented, according to Harris.

Sparks said although the BOE has five members again, it's not a full board. He would like to see five to seven alternates, he added.

"I would love to get more applications," Sparks said. "As far as I'm concerned, getting good quality people, no matter which district they're from, is paramount."

Three additional members were appointed as alternates, including former Incline Village resident Rick Ahlswede. Truckee Meadows residents Jerry Hogan and Marcia McCormick were also appointed.

This year, BOE members met 23 days, from Jan. 22 through February, to assess the viability of property owners' tax assessments, a process that begins Jan. 15 and runs through February. Their meetings usually began at 9 a.m. and ended at 5 or 6 p.m., but occasionally lasted until 10 p.m. Members are paid $40 a day, per statute requirement.

The five Board of Equalization members include Chairman Steven Sparks of District 1; Bill Brush of District 2; Gary Schmidt of District 2; Thomas Koziol of District 5 and John Krolick, District 1.

The BOE is scheduled to meet Friday, Dec. 3 to discuss the amount of notice given property owners who contest their tax assessments.



Merry Thomas can be reached at mthomas@tahoebonanza.com or 831-4666, ext. 112.





a