Sun Journal New Bern--Letter to the Editor:

CRAVEN COUNTY HERO

January 24, 2011


As a result of the 2010 Craven County revaluation the citizens of Craven County have seen a significant increase in their property values that have resulted in increased taxes even though the tax rate is considered revenue neutral for 2010-2011 budget year. At the time of the revaluation I served as a county commissioner and I was under the impression that values would increase significantly only in areas along the waterfront or consolidated areas where properties were being sold at record highs. I did not expect the district in which I represented which is largely rural to see the increase in value that it did. I have admitted that I made a mistake in voting for the 2010-2011 budget due to the burden it has placed on Craven County’s citizens.

In the recent months one of Craven County’s finest citizens, Mrs. Tyker Gonzales, has led an effort to assist Craven County farmers and landowners who have been excluded from Present Use Value. These properties consist of farm equipment buildings, farm livestock buildings and farmland used for production of livestock which are currently valued at market value. It is because of Mrs. Gonzales’ persistence on this issue that the N.C. Department of Revenue has advised the Craven County Tax Department that the above properties do qualify for the Present Use Value Schedule under GS. 105-277.3. As a result of this important opinion from the Department of Revenue, the assistance of the Farm Bureau Federation and most importantly Mrs. Gonzales, many farmers and landowners in Craven County will receive a fair and equitable value on their properties.

On behalf of Craven County Farm Bureau Federation and the farmers of Craven County, I want to thank Mrs. Tyke Gonzales for taking a stand for the agricultural industry which is still North Carolina’s number one industry contributing $75 billion to our state’s economy.


Jason R. Jones, Cove City, NC


Jones is president of Craven County Farm Bureau.

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