Tensions over taxes lead to brouhaha online, at office

Sheriff’s deputies called in to calm irate citizen

by Larry Chowning –

At a Middlesex County Board of Supervisors (MCBS) meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 6, Middlesex County Commissioner of the Revenue Mae Burke fired back at what she called “false accusations” and the “yelling and cursing on social media” concerning the way her office handled skyrocketing personal property tax values on vehicles.

She stated that at one point a citizen’s conversation escalated enough inside the Commissioner of the Revenue’s office that sheriff’s deputies were called to control the situation.

Walker said the increased vehicle values is a result of goods and services going up during the COVID-19 pandemic which has resulted in inflation and “skyrocketing” vehicle values. “It has nothing to do with the way the commissioner of the revenue or the county treasurer handled the situation,” said Walker.

Commissioners of the revenue throughout the state are required by law to use a recognized pricing guide for the assessment of all vehicles and along with most state localities, including Middlesex, JD Power Car Ratings was used as the main guide to determine fair market value of vehicles.

Burke said that an email was sent out by the local president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) to local members that accused her office of using a different pricing guide for the reason taxes and car values are higher.

The email indicated that the switch to JD Power was the reason for skyrocketing increases in vehicle taxes not a nationwide escalation of vehicle values.

Burke confirmed county vehicle values were determined through JD Power but there was no switch in books, she said. “I can’t find any evidence that we have ever used Kelly Blue Book,” she said. “We may have way back but the accusation that my office has had anything to do with switching evaluation methods is totally wrong,” she said.

“My office is here for the citizens of Middlesex County,” she said. “We work hard for everyone. Misinformation is harmful to everyone and if you have a question concerning this office come to me and ask before making accusations.”