Tax collector Hoggatt announces bid for re-election
Posted on Wednesday, March 15, 2006
BENTONVILLE — Greg Hoggatt wants to continue serving Benton County as its tax collector, he told supporters in a formal candidacy announcement Tuesday.
If elected in November, Hoggatt will serve his second term. "In my first term, I looked at ways to increase efficiency and reduce unnecessary costs and provide greater customer service to taxpayers in Benton County," he said.
Hoggatt cited several of his first-term accomplishments:
• Working to bring a positive resolution in the Amendment 59 lawsuit with Benton County;
• Releasing tax statements in mid-March for immediate dispersal to school districts;
• Collecting $120 million in taxes;
• Creating the Delinquent Business Tax Department, which collected $800,000 in delinquent taxes in less than a year;
• Saving $50,000 in labor and supply costs from the 2005 annual budget; and
• Remodeling the tax collector’s main office to increase customer service. "This year I am implementing a new collection and billing software that will not only make processing payments more efficient but will also place additional services in the hands of taxpayers for even more convenience," he said. "For the first time, property owners will be able to print their own copies of tax statements and receipts, and have a greater amount of research capability from the comfort of their own home."
Hoggatt said the Tax Collection Department will also begin accepting e-mail addresses for individuals and businesses that would like to be kept informed of important issues and deadlines. This process will also allow the department to send electronic reminders when taxes are due.
The reminders are one way Hoggatt said he plans to target delinquent taxes if he is re-elected. By sending reminders about taxes coming due or about to be declared delinquent, the county might be able to cut down on the amount of delinquent taxes, Hoggatt said.
Hoggatt lives in Bentonville with his wife, Kerry, and their sons Tyler and Luke. Hoggatt serves as secretary on the Bentonville/Bella Vista Noon Rotary Club Board and as Bentonville community captain for the Northwest Arkansas Red Cross Heroes Campaign. He was recently appointed to serve on the State Land Commissioner’s Advisory Council.
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