County discusses moving tax collection to MCAD

Milam County Commissioners discussed a possible change in the handling of tax collections for the county during Monday’s Commissioners Court meeting.

They heard a presentation from Milam County Chief Appraiser Ryan Nichols suggesting that collections be done out of his office. The proposal would move tax collections from the tax office to the appraisal district and save the county money in salaries.

County Judge Bill Whitmire said he doesn’t think it is a good idea to make that type of move while the county is in the process of electing a new Tax Assessor. 

Tax Assessor Sherry Mueck will retire at the end of June. She told commissioners she picked that time to allow for a smooth transition so the new Tax Assessor will be able to certify the tax rolls and start with a clean slate.

Commissioners tabled the topic and discussed having town hall meetings in Cameron, Thorndale and Rockdale to get input from county residents. 

The meeting dates are:

March 25 - Rockdale - Workforce Solutions Conference Room, at the Milam County One-Stop Center

March 27 - Cameron - Bea's Kitchen, Milam County Annex

March 28 - Thorndale - Milam County Precinct 4 Annex

Moving collections to the appraisal district would not allow for satellite offices in Rockdale and Thorndale and county residents would have to come to Cameron to pay taxes.

Commissioners thought it best to possibly have the new Tax Assessor in place before making this decision because it will affect their work load and employees.

The topic will be rediscussed during the April 10 meeting.

In other business commissioners also: approved the creation of a Consent Agenda for meetings; moved the April 8 meeting to April 10 due to the Lunar Eclipse; approved a new contract with OnMed for the station in the Sheriff’s Office; tabled changes to the Development Permit Application until commissioners could further review; and approved election contracts with Rockdale ISD, Thorndale ISD and Rosebud-Lott ISD.