There’s a lot to the office

Re: the Aug. 14 editorial “A modest proposal on constitutional offices”:

I encourage the writer to visit my office at the Roanoke County Administration Building and spend the day with me to sink some teeth into your misunderstanding of my job.

It is my duty to enforce Title 58 as well as other titles of the State Code of Virginia as written by state legislators and adopted by local government.

It is the duty of the commissioner of the revenue to assess and provide to the treasurer a personal property book in the form prescribed by the Department of ­Taxation.

It is also my duty to process, assess and collect Roanoke County food and beverage taxes, transient occupancy taxes, utility tax, admission tax, business, professional and occupational license taxes. I also oversee the BPOL appeal process governed by the Department of Taxation as well as business personal property tax.

My office also handles the recordation of real estate changes to ensure correct billing of the real estate tax. We process and manage the Real Estate Tax Relief Program for senior citizens, disabled persons and veterans, providing for a freeze of the real estate tax program for qualifying citizens.

In addition, we offer state tax assistance and process tax returns in compliance with Department of Taxation guidelines.

I and my staff are enrolled in a career development program administered by Weldon Cooper Center at the University of Virginia. I will share with you the library of books and tools attained during our many classes, which is a source of continual training and knowledge.

When you visit, I will show you the Roanoke County budget so you may understand how the taxes provide services in this very desirable county. I am sure the public will agree our schools are the best in the state, and we have very little crime. My taxpayers tell me “came through, loved it and stayed.”

Looking forward to our visit with excitement and anticipation. Oh, and by the way, it may take more than one day. You may want to schedule several months to get a good understanding.

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