PART I: In Politics, the Best Predictor of Future Behavior is Past Behavior!
Are Years of Unpaid Property Taxes a Red Flag for a Candidate Running for Levy Board of County Commission?
Do you have confidence that same candidate could manage the county’s $68 million budget?
Ryan Bell was delinquent paying his property taxes according to the tax collector’s website on as many as (5) five properties. Tax certificates were sold for those five (5) parcels. A tax certificate is an enforceable first lien against the property for unpaid real estate taxes. The certificate holder is an independent investor who actually pays the taxes for a property owner in exchange for a competitive bid rate of return on the investment along with paying all the associated costs to advertise them in the delinquent tax deed publication.
Our property taxes help pay the $35,310.11 annual commissioner salaries, their retirement, health insurance, etc.
Are you, John Q. Public, Levy taxpayer, willing to elect Ryan S. Bell to the Board of County Commissioners with a history of 5 properties that were in arrears?
One parcel, 06936-001-0A @ 13 NE Main Street in Chiefland, was delinquent as far back as 2013, totaling $15,146.47 in arrears. Tax certificates were sold for all 5 properties in arrears totaling $21,738.55.
Conveniently, as of June 6, 2018, it appears Ryan Bell has decided it prudent to pay those taxes with the election fast approaching. But it still does not change the fact that he was delinquent on 5 parcels of property for several years. Not a business model I am impressed with nor do I want him controlling the purse strings of Levy County!
What I find interesting is that two of the properties that had certificates sold for years 2016 & 2017, only had a small balance of $356.15 each. If Mr. Ryan S. Bell is such a great businessman, why did those two parcels go into delinquency for such insignificant amounts for such a great businessman that he claims to be? Are you, John Q. Public, going to have confidence in Ryan S. Bell to manage the current BoCC budget of $68 million dollars? Not me!
I am looking for a faithful public servant, not someone wanting to line his pockets on the backs of Levy County taxpayers with $35,310.11 a year salary plus benefits.
Election Day is August 28, 2018. Early voting only at the Supervisor of Elections office August 13th thru 25th.
Attached is a PDF of the delinquent properties for those of you that prefer supporting documents.
Ryan S. Bell Delinquent Property Taxes
Posted by Linda Cooper July 29, 2018
