County Tables Decision on Tax Rolls

By: Shelia Mader

The Jackson County Board of County Commissioners revisited its decision on which newspaper will publish the county’s delinquent tax rolls, an item that had been tabled at a previous meeting.

County Administrator Jim Dean presented updated bid information requested by the board, including circulation details and estimated costs. The Graceville News submitted the lower bid at about $30,352, compared to roughly $42,696 for the Jackson County Times. Commissioners were asked to provide direction on how to proceed.

During the discussion, Samantha Angerbrandt, owner of the Graceville News, addressed prior concerns about distribution. She told commissioners the paper places tax rolls “in every single municipality and post office in the entire county,” along with locations such as Bascom General Merchandise, and makes them available for free. She said the papers are typically restocked weekly and that “the only time we ever really ran out was at the post offices,” where copies are not staffed.

Chairman Jamey Westbrook said his own experience did not align with that explanation, raising concerns about whether residents in all areas are being properly reached.

“I do live in Bascom, Florida… but not only did I not find one there, I didn’t find one anywhere in Grand Ridge…”

Westbrook stressed his concern was not about choosing one newspaper over another based on cost, but about ensuring the county meets legal requirements to notify the public. “All I wanna do is go by the rules… that’s where I’m coming from.”

Jackson County Times publisher/owner Woodrow Hatcher was asked following the meeting about the decision the Board made. Hatcher said, “The reason for the difference is the Times is a county newspaper covering all of the citizens of Jackson County, with a presence in every city and community throughout the county instead of concentration on one city in the county with one main location.”

Dr. Spires said the differences between the county’s two newspapers make a direct comparison difficult and supported returning to a rotation system used in the past. “I’m of the opinion that we ought to rotate.” 

Westbrook said he would entertain that motion, but the board ultimately voted to table the item again until the next meeting so a full board could participate in the decision.

Commissioners Paul Donofro and Donnie Branch were absent.