KINGWOOD — The Preston County Commission voted to pay the full property tax on its leased vehicles at its Tuesday meeting.
At its meeting the week before Christmas, the commission met with Casey Ortega, client strategy manager for Enterprise Rent-A-Car to discuss the tax of $4,791.10 for the county’s 14 leased vehicles.
Commissioner Samantha Stone suggested paying half the tax, if Enterprise agreed. Commissioner Dave Price and President Don Smith agreed and voted in favor of doing so. Ortega said it felt fair to her but she needed to get approval.
Tuesday, county administrator Kathy Mace told commissioner’s Enterprise had rejected the offer to pay half.
“At this time, their appetite is to request the complete amount of tax rather than your offer of paying half. I believe that amount is $4,791.50,” Mace said. “So they have rejected your offer of one half and I just need direction on how do you want me to move forward?”
Price said they ought to pay it and Smith agreed.
Smith also said he spoke with Sen. Dave Sypolt, R-Preston, about SB 383, a bill that was introduced last year which would eliminate the need for counties to pay taxes on leased vehicles. If the commission had purchased the vehicles rather than leased them, it would not pay property taxes as a government entity.
“He will reintroduce this bill. He said it was a good bill, it fell apart. It did not get through the house is the problem,” Smith said.
Stone said even if the bill passed, the taxes owed would be forgiven and as good stewards the commission needs to pay its bills.
Mace said it was important to remember Enterprise paid around $7,000. Stone said they did that in anticipation of the senate bill passing.
In the upcoming budget discussion, Mace said it was important to remember if the senate bill did not become law again, they would continue to owe property taxes.
Price said he would not forget.
