Instead of the confusing process of renewing your tags in Henderson or Rutherford counties and paying your vehicle taxes in Polk, what if one could do all of the above in one office?
Not only could that make things incredibly more convenient for taxpayers, but there could be some advantages in the prospect for the county as a whole.
With the state making changes to the way vehicle taxes are collected effective July 1, 2013, Polk County has an opportunity to look into reopening a tag office.
Now, none of the county commissioners or county manager Ryan Whitson seem to see any potential profit in the idea and they are likely right on that matter, but the benefit to residents could be substantial.
In fact, if it’s economically feasible, it would be a great service to residents who currently must go to Rutherford or Henderson county for any tag/title business.
With the state’s new collection service, North Carolina officials expect to bring in an additional 10 percent in revenue or between $60-70,000 for Polk County. If that is the case, it would seem that money could easily cover the cost of maybe two employees for a tag office. Polk County Tax Collector Melissa Bowlin says she already feels she’ll need a full-time temporary worker to assist with the change as it is.
For the county this move could be beneficial because it would allow local employees to ensure that taxes from county residents with Henderson or Rutherford county mailing addresses actually stay in Polk County. With our own tag office that would be less likely to happen because if they are coming to Polk for the tag, they probably live in Polk and local people would know the addresses better.
— Editorial staff,
Tryon Daily Bulletin