I was wondering how far is to far when it comes to a "Tax Reduction"? Anything whether it is a Gambit or a Straight Tax Reduction is still to me a Tax Reduction, no matter what or how it is said....That or I should say This was why, I gave my vote to Mr. Williamson when it was all said and done. I know that there was one better candidate out there and he works for Williamson and his name was still in the hat as far as whether or not he could have been voted for, but I felt that if I was going to vote for someone it was going to be for the two names that were the closest to being elected. That was Postmus and Williamson. Dam, if Postmus won. But that is what we have election's for. The most people elected Postmus for District one County Supervisor too. I would stay in the supervisor job, myself, but that is just me. I feel that the Supervisor job is a higher, more prestigious job then the County Assessor, Again that is just me!!
Take care and remember to vote again in the next upcoming elections...
BSRancher...
Williamson wants to give 70,000 San Bernardino County property owners a reduction in their property tax valuations under Proposition 8, which would lead to a subsequent reduction in taxes. Williamson says it’s his duty as elected assessor to protect property owners. And he’s relying on a 20-year-old letter from the state Board of Equalization, which he says justifies his action. Problem is, neither the Board of Equalization nor county counsel backs him up. In fact, Board of Equalization Chief Counsel Kristine Cazadd says the 1986 advisory letter in no way gives Williamson the authority to act on his own. And if he does, the board likely would audit the county’s assessments – and seek a court injunction. County Administrative Officer Mark Uffer, on the other hand, is ready to pull out all the stops to block Williamson’s maverick move, down to barring the Assessor’s Office from altering the records in its computer database. ‘‘This isn’t about low taxes,’’ Uffer said. ‘‘It borders on an illegal act of malfeasance.’’ Uffer is exactly right. If Williamson were allowed to carry out his scheme, the property owners in question would receive an average deduction of $30,000 in assessed property value. But the lowered tax valuations would shortchange the county tax rolls – by about $20 million. It would mean a tremendous loss to county schools, and other tax-funded services – all because Williamson sees fit to pull a cheesy election-year gimmick. Uffer needs to do more than block it. Williamson deserves a county reprimand, even if it plays into the hands of his chief opponent, Bill Postmus. Postmus is chairman of the Board of Supervisors. Still, Uffer, who is doing the right thing by seeking to block Williamson at every turn, should not carry through on his childish threat to hold back on a long-planned staffing increase for the Assessor’s Office. That wouldn’t be fair to taxpayers, whom the office serves. And it certainly doesn’t show mature leadership on the part of the county’s top administrator. Then again, Williamson’s bid to act on a ploy only he thinks is legal isn’t productive either. It makes you wonder if Williamson really is qualified to serve as assessor. Disagree? We’d like to hear from you. Write us at letters@dailybulletin.com.
Assessor goes too far with tax reduction gambit
Publicity stunt or not, San Bernardino County Assessor Don WilliamsonÂ’s belligerent attempt to buck the system and hand out tax breaks on his own clearly is a breach of duties. And it should not be tolerated.
Running for re-election to a fourth term, Williamson said Monday he was bound and determined to carry through with his ‘‘constitutional duty’’ and deliver on those tax breaks.
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