The Virginian-Pilot
©
NORFOLK
Don't be tardy is a school maxim, but one that 317 division employees overlooked when it came time to pay their taxes, according to the city treasurer's office.
All will have their wages garnished for back taxes unless they contact the city by Jan. 15 to work out arrangements to pay the arrears, Deputy Treasurer Anthony Burfoot said. It's the first time his office has done such group outreach via the Norfolk division.
At $81,700, the total delinquent amount is enough to cover the salaries of two teachers at the bottom pay grade or about eight cafeteria workers, according to division records.
Earlier this year, the treasurer's office took similar action toward 594 municipal employees who owed more than $350,000.
"We're not targeting Norfolk public schools," Burfoot, who also is the city's vice mayor, said. "We're doing this strategically across the board."
Burfoot said his office notified the delinquent school workers with the cooperation of the division's human resources department.
If the workers don't arrange a payment plan by mid-January, the entire amount owed in back taxes will be deducted from their paychecks afterward in a lump sum, Burfoot said.
Burfoot said it's important for all residents to pay their fair share for public services - which include the school system and school workers' salaries.
"I tell city employees, 'What if I told you I have to give you an IOU?' It's my job to collect all this money so you can get a paycheck," he said.
The city revised its collection policies last year after The Virginian-Pilot reported Norfolk was doing little to follow up on backlogged delinquent real estate accounts. The new measures gathered millions of dollars in revenue.
Steven G. Vegh, (757) 446-2417, steven.vegh@pilotonline.com
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Update the July 2010 article
A VP article in 2010 revealed that Norfolk was losing millions of dollars due to an antiquated tax collection system. Has that system been fixed? What is the overall delinquent tax rate in Norfolk now? Are the statistics regarding the school and the city workers disproportionate to the city at large? Do high ranking officials, including council, owe back taxes? What is the property tax base in the city and how much actually is collected? If the VP is chooses to highlight a certain segment of taxpayers, they should at least answer the questions above to provide the proper context.
I want to know why is this
I want to know why is this even a story? What makes city or school employees any better then anyone else that they have to be singled out? They are just the average citizen just like anyone else. There are people from all walks of life that havent paid their taxes on time. But they are not being reported on. I think its just part of the medias smear campaign and attack on city workers-even though the majority do a good job and pay their bills on time.
City employees owe bavbkntaxes
It would be interesting to know what percentage of city employees that owe back taxes as compared to total number of city emploees and then compare the same numbers to Norolk taxpayers who do not pay taxes. Don,t think the city would release that information as it could further expose the good ole boy network.
From credit card abuse, to no show worker
to non-payment of taxes, it is just the sense of entitlement that is so prevalent in government in this area. Thank you VP for reporting abuses such as this.
Another good reason to leave Norfolk,they are all crooks.
All crooks.
Back Taxes
I wonder if any City Council members owe them? Or even better how many former City Managers owe them.....The Pilot should check on those accounts.
Paying A Fair Share
It is interesting that some of those complaining about the city collecting a fair share of taxes from them probably whine about the rich not paying what they think is the rich's fair share. A convenient set of values.
As long as the City is
As long as the City is prepared to go out and garnish the wages and confiscate assets of other property owners, City employees really have no room to complain. My understanding is that they are fairly liberal in setting up payment plans.
taxes
I am glad these folks are paying their fair share.
How bout this twist
I married my husband 5 yrs ago. Saw he never did his state taxes: Small refunds/not worth it... my butt! So, I back tracked, did the past 8 yrs of easy 1040...total over $400. The State refused to pay 5 out of the 8 yrs.; a 3 yr statue thing. K... Now, this past tax season... The City... collected on a 1998 past due, water bill on my husband!!!! Supposably he did not pay BUT here is the kicker; Never was on his credit report, even after we cleaned up any other discrepancies in 2009 AND the City collected through the State- kept the past, so called late fees; no prior letter of collections, etc. JUST kept the monies; only $90 But just getting a letter saying you will not get your state tax refund because..... letter!