Fiscal Court collects over $7,000 in delinquent occupational taxes

The Whitley County Occupational Tax Administrator’s Office has collected $7,249.48 in back occupational taxes through a series of 11 small claims lawsuits filed in Whitley District Court earlier this year.

In addition, Feb. 5, 2019, trials have been scheduled in Whitley District Court in four remaining small claims cases where a total of $1,538.11 is being sought in back occupation taxes, penalties and interest, according to a News Journal analysis of district court records.

Whitley County Occupational Tax Administrator David Owens filled all 15 small claims lawsuits on July 27 in Whitley District Court with 10 of the claims being paid in full before a scheduled court date.

In one case, the county received a court judgment.

All but two of the lawsuits deal exclusively with occupational taxes owed for 2017. Of the other two, both also deal with 2016 occupational taxes, and one deals with interest owed on 2015 occupational taxes.

Out of the $7,249.48 already collected, $5,080.36 was owed on the principal in addition to $2,169.12 in penalties and interest.

In each of the 15 cases, the county also sought $75.27 in costs related to filing the small claims lawsuits.

Those named in the small claims lawsuits and the status of the cases are listed as follows:

• Teresa D. Shelton, $970.22 sought – paid in full, case dismissed.
• Sheila K. Anderson, $808.42 sought – Feb. 5 trial set.
• Cynthia A. Fields, $652.33 sought – judgment for Whitley County.
• Jonathan E. Carroll, $828.99 sought – paid in full, case dismissed.
• William K. Edwards, $1,379.04 sought – paid in full, case dismissed.
• Judy K. Hart, $601.37 sought – paid in full, case dismissed.
• Lora Partin, $914.20 sought – paid in full, case dismissed.
• Deanna L. Miller, $235.45 sought – Feb. 5 trial set.
• Casey Payne, $338.40 sought – Feb. 5 trial set.
• Jamie Trett, $236.39 sought – paid in full, case dismissed.
• Tabatha R. Sizemore, $102.85 sought – paid in full, case dismissed.
• Mitchell L. Lowe, $734.09 sought – paid in full, case dismissed.
• Charles M. Peace, $155.84 sought – Feb. 5 trial set.
• Machelle Brimm, $271.64 sought – paid in full, case dismissed.
• Amber R. Sturdivant, $558.36 sought – paid in full, case dismissed.