Avon Twp. supervisor: Residents upset since assessor's office closed
Avon Township Supervisor Lisa Rusch says township employees have had to cope with frustrated residents since a budget dispute led to the closure of the assessor's office last month.
While township Assessor Christopher Ditton didn't attend Monday's board meeting, his office was a topic of discussion for part of the evening. Ditton submitted a written report to the township board stating he continues to work in the best interests of taxpayers since “irresponsible budget cuts” forced the departure of his employees and the office's closure Sept. 19.
Avon Township property owners for about the past month have had to deal with the Lake County assessor's office in Waukegan for issues such as valuation challenges and exemptions. The township encompasses all or part of Grayslake, Hainesville, Round Lake, Round Lake Beach, Round Lake Park, Round Lake Heights, Third Lake and unincorporated Lake County.
At Monday's meeting, Rusch said supervisor office employees have met with residents who are unhappy they can't conduct business at the assessor's office in the township building in Round Lake Park. She complimented her employees for performing well in a situation not of their making.
“Our staff has been listening to the upset people,” said Rusch, who ran on the Avon Action political slate with Ditton in 2013. “I think frustration is what it is, and the fact when before you used to be able to come here and get (assessor) services, now you have to go to Waukegan to get services. It's frustrating to them (residents), and my staff has been phenomenal handling any of the questions they might have.”
Township Trustee Chris Larson, who also ran with Ditton on the Avon Action slate, said the assessor should attend board meetings.
“I just want to state for the record, very clearly, I am extremely frustrated that he can't come before this board and answer questions,” Larson said.
Ditton wrote in his report that he's preparing to defend before the Lake County Board of Review the value of about $63 million in assessed property in the township that has been challenged by property owners seeking reductions to cut their taxes. He said such a chore takes more than one full-time assessor's office employee.
“If I am unable to present evidence defending the assessed values, property taxes will likely be higher for the vast majority of property owners in Avon Township who have not challenged their assessments,” said Ditton, who couldn't be reached for additional comment Tuesday.
Avon Township documents show $227,000 was allotted to the assessor for 2014-15, down from $242,450. Ditton has said the budget called for two full-timers and one part-time employee, but he needed four full-timers to be on par with other township assessment offices.
Keri-Lyn Krafthefer, an attorney representing the township, contends Ditton used his annual allotment for employee salaries and benefits in six months instead of 12. Four assessor office employees have received final payouts, but Rusch reiterated Monday that Ditton is still receiving his $65,900 salary.