The Center Post - August 2011 Edition

The August edition of The Center Post is now available via the following link:

The Center Post

Survey

Most Lee County residents began receiving their 2011 property tax bills today, July 28th.  Please do not immediately discard of your envelope.  You may have noticed, but on the back of the tax bill envelope is a QR Code that, when scanned with your smartphone, takes you to a very brief survey being conducted by our vendor. 

To scan a QR Code with your smartphone, you'll need to simply download a free scanner app from your phone's app market such as "i-nigma", "Barcode Scanner", etc.  This survey should take less than a minute as I believe it asks only three questions. 

Steps:

1. Download a free QR Code scanner app from your phone's app market (two free app examples given above)
2. Open the app
3. Scan a QR Code
4. Discover/explore the code within the QR Code (survey in this case)

For additional assistance, email linked@leecountync.gov

Announcing Lee County Government's Google Calendar!

We have developed a Google Calendar that highlights important county dates and events.  While this calendar is viewable on our website and Facebook page, the uniqueness comes in that we have discovered how someone can integrate our calendar with his or her personal electronic calendar, i.e. Micrsoft Outlook, iCal, etc..  This way when you go to view your schedule you also would be able to see area happenings and dates.  If we update our calendar then it is automatically pushed out to you!  Click here to visit our download page! 

Information is becoming increasingly important in today's society.  Here at Lee County Government, we have a lot of events and dates in which the public has shown interest.  This calendar is a simple, one-time download and the benefits are endless.  By default, we usually set no reminder for events (so it won't be burdensome), but the beauty is that any user can define a personal event reminder if she/he chooses. 

Currently the calendar shows important property tax dates and will highlight revaluation dates and presentation information shortly.  It is growing, and the potential of this calendar is endless given the many events/programs each county department is responsible for. 

Download our calendar, and as we see the usage expand we may include more event postings.  How nice would it be, for example, to pull up our calendar from your mobile phone at one of our wonderful parks and see upcoming events?  This calendar potentially puts the information right at your fingertips.

Trouble downloading the calendar, have a general suggestion or comment?  Email us at linked@leecountync.gov

Tonight's Games Cancelled

Lee County Parks and Recreation has cancelled the games scheduled for tonight, July 28, 2011, due to dangerous heat conditions for outdoor activities.  Coaches will be notified of re-schedule dates for the affected games.

2011 Property Tax Bills

Today the 2011 property tax bills were mailed.  You should expect to receive your bill(s) shortly.  These bills are for only real property (house, land, etc.) and personal property (boat, business equipment, etc.).  Registered motor vehicles are billed separately depending upon your license tag renewal, generally. 
An option many have taken advantage of is to divide their tax bill into multiple payments.  If payments are started immediately, one can stretch out a tax bill into 5 or 6 payments.  These bills are due September 1, 2011, but can be paid without interest through January 5, 2012.  Enforced collection actions (and additional fees) begin once a tax becomes delinquent.

As you will notice, the 2011 property tax bills reflect what was on your property or what personal property you claimed as of January 1, 2011.  North Carolina law dictates that we assess a property in accordance with the improvements present as of January 1st of each year. 

To see a summary of the 2011 tax rates and fees, please click the link below. 

2011 tax rates and fees

2013 Property Tax Revaluation

The Lee County Tax Office has begun the process of completing the next countywide revaluation effective January 1, 2013. A primary goal of a revaluation is to bring tax assessed values up or down to current market values. Current tax assessments are based on the adopted schedule of values from our last revaluation, January 1, 2007, but North Carolina General Statute 105-287 states that local governments cannot adjust for economic conditions in a non-revaluation year, i.e. 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012. Market conditions may have changed since 2007, and tax values will be updated accordingly effective January 1, 2013.

At this point real estate appraisers from the tax office are conducting field reviews and compiling and analyzing qualified market sales. You may see an appraiser in your neighborhood verifying the property data we have and inspecting properties. As part of the revaluation process the tax office will conduct a series of public presentations and reports to disseminate revaluation information. We hope to provide Lee County taxpayers with information such as what we are seeing in the market, what the revaluation means to you and applicable laws, among other information.

For questions about the 2013 revaluation and other tax-related information, call us at 919-718-4660 or email us at appraisals@leecountync.gov

Closure: OT Sloan Park

OT Sloan Park will be closed to the public all day on Saturday, August 6th. 

HEALTH ALERT: First N.C. Case of La Crosse Encephalitis Reported. Health Officials Stress Mosquito Bite Prevention

The North Carolina Division of Public Health will be sending out this Health Alert later today concerning the season's first case of Mosquito-borne illness.  To read, please click below:

Health Alert concerning mosquito-borne illness

Parks & Recreation Offerings - Part II

Click on flyer below for more information.

July 25, 2011 Special Meeting of the Lee County Board of Commissioners

The Lee County Board of Commissioners met for a special meeting at 10 a.m. on July 25, 2011. Click here to view Action Taken from said meeting.  

Employment Opportunities Updated

Visit our Facebook page or click the link below to view Lee County Government's latest employment opportunities. 

Employment Opportunities

7-25-11 Special Commissioners Meeting

The Lee County Board of Commissioners will meet on Monday, July 25, 2011 for a special called meeting at 10 a.m. Click here to view agenda for said meeting.

Lee County Animal Services Ordinance

The Lee County Animal Services Ordinance was approved by the County Commissioners Monday.  A copy of the Ordinance is posted below for your review.

Lee County Animal Services Ordinance

NC Division of Public Health Press Release Concerning Dangers of Drinking Raw Milk

The North Carolina Division of Public Health forwarded a Press Release to the Lee County Health Department concerning the consumption of raw milk.  Please read below:

NCDPH Press Release concerning Dangers of Raw Milk Consumption

Lee County Parks & Recreation's Program Announcements

Click on flyer below for Lee County Parks and Recreation's program announcements.

Game Cancellations for Tonight!

The Lee County Parks and Recreation ball games scheduled for this evening have been cancelled due to excessive heat.  Teams will be notified regarding the rescheduling of games.  Please contact 775-2107 with questions or concerns.

New Hours for the Lee County Library

In effect since July 1, the hours for the Library have changed.  The hours for the main library are as follows:

Monday         9 am - 6 pm
Tues.-Wed.    9 am - 9 pm
Thurs.-Fri.      9 am - 6 pm
Saturday        10 am - 2 pm
Sunday           CLOSED


The Broadway Library's hours remain the same ( Mon.-Wed.  2pm - 6 pm)
The Jonesboro Library is now closed.

Action Taken at July 18, 2011 Commissioners' Meeting

Click here to view action taken at the July 18, 2011 Lee County Board of Commissioners' meeting.

Convenience Center Google Map

We are pleased to present a Google Map of the Lee County Convenience Centers.  The map plots each center, and a user can click on a placemarker for hours of operation and more information.  Also, the map has a legend on the left side which shows acceptable/unacceptable materials and a list of each center. 

Click here to navigate to our Facebook page, then click the "Google Maps" tab on the left, then click the "Lee County Convenience Centers" map.  You will probably want to close the map legend after review by clicking the arrow at the top right of the legend.  You also can click here to access the map outside of Facebook.

New Bid Opportunity!

Click Here to view an updated page of bid opportunities.

Governor's Award for Volunteer Service

Nominations are being accepted for the 2012 Governor's Award for Volunteer Service.  The deadline to nominate someone is Monday, October 31, 2011.  Click here for more information about the Governor's Award!

July 18, 2011 Commissioners' Meeting

The Lee County Board of Commissioners will meet at 3 p.m., July 18, 2011 for their next regular meeting.  Click here here to view agenda for said meeting.

Rabies Clinic

Doctor Stan Davis of Maple Springs Animal Hospital and the Lee County Sheriff's Office will be hosting a rabies clinic on August 13, 2011 from 10 am to 1 pm. It will be held in the back parking lot of the Sheriff's Office. The shots will be $7.00 each. The public must have their dog on a leash and cats must be in a carrier. Owners should bring proof of previous rabies vaccination if available, which will help to determine if a one year vaccine or a three year vaccine is needed. If there are any questions feel free to contact Sgt. Rodriguez (919) 775-5531.  

July 18, 2011 Commissioners Meeting

The Lee County Board of Commissioners will meet for their regular monthly meeting on Monday, July 18, 2011 beginning with a 3 p.m. business meeting.  A public hearing with the Lee County Planning Board and consideration of redrawn boundaries for the Commissioners Electoral Districts have been scheduled for the 6 p.m. meeting.  All meetings will be held in the Commissioners' Room, First Floor, Lee County Government Center, 106 Hillcrest Drive, Sanford, NC.  All meetings are open to the public.

Trip to New York and Niagara Falls - September 19 - 25, 2011!!

The Lee County Enrichment Center is planning a group trip to New York and Niagara Falls in September.  Registrations and deposits are due by Friday, July 22nd.  For more information, and to see a list of points of interest, including Broadway show, Niagara Falls and Statue of Liberty Sightseeing Cruise, CLICK HERE!!!

New Employment Opportunity

We have posted a new employment opportunity.  Please visit our Facebook page tab titled "Employment Opportunities" or click the link below to view this opportunity.  You also may share this post easily through your social media network.


Maintenance Mechanic II

Inquiry - Online Calendar?

If you will, take just a few seconds and either comment directly on this post or email dbrinson@leecountync.gov and let us know what you use as your primary online calendar and what version.  For example, you might use the calendar integrated with your 2007 Microsoft Outlook email account, a Google Calendar or a calendar produced by Apple, among others.  Thanks in advance for your comments.

Television Commercial Filming in Downtown Sanford

In case you are out and about next Tuesday, July 12th, there will be a filming crew from News Channel 14 in the downtown area shooting for a television commercial, per an announcement from the Sanford Area Association of Realtors.  This commercial is supported by area Realtors who are trying to promote the Sanford and Lee County area. 

Should you have any questions regarding this announcement, please contact the Sanford Area Association of Realtors at 919-774-6591.

ServSafe - A Practical Approach to Food Safety

Who should attend this course?  Food service managers and/or other employees responsible for the operation of the establishment and who are employed full-time in restaurants, hospitals, nursing homes and other food service establishments.


For more information, click the following link: ServSafe Link

A MUST SEE! Lee County Government Facebook Page

In an effort to continually improve our services, we have given our Facebook page a facelift.  You will enjoy the upgrades, and the page is now a wonderful resource.  It serves as the hub of our social media marketing program, and contains rare features and conveniences.


Upgrades include:

• Added a tab that integrates our ground-breaking live chat communication module right into Facebook…so now when you read a post on our Facebook page you can immediately initiate a live chat with a county representative right from our page!


• Integrated Lee County’s Google Maps into our page...people can now click a map link and it pops up right in our Facebook page!

• Installed new tab for a PetFinder application that links up directly with the Lee County Animal Shelter’s adoptable pets!

If you have already "liked" our Facebook page you won't see one upgrade, but we also have upgraded our "landing page" that non-fans see when they first navigate to our page.  It talks about Lee County Government, describes its assets and includes innovative approaches we try to bring to public service.

Follow this link to view our page, and be sure to "Like" it!

Lee County Government Facebook Page

Vehicle Taxes Due Today

Reminder, if you renewed or purchased new tags for your motor vehicle in March 2011, then your vehicle property tax bill became due today, July 1st (generally).  Also, for those that renewed their license plate tags in February 2011, interest began today.  Please contact us to potentially avoid enforced collection actions and additional interest/charges.  To check your tax account(s), please click the link below:

Online Tax Inquiry

Lee County Tax Office
919-718-4662

Independence Day

Lee County Government offices will be closed Monday, July 4th in observance of Independence Day.