Man PAYS $21,000 'Property Taxes' In COINS

by **J The Kidd** Sun Dec 21, 2008 3:50 am

A Floyd County man showed up at the city-county building in New
Albany to pay his property taxes with more than $21,000 in coins.

Frank Alford, who owns several single-family rental homes, said
it's his way of protesting higher taxes, reported WLKY-TV in
Louisville, Ky.

When he walked into the Floyd County treasurer's office Thursday
morning, a deputy clerk immediately recognized Alford because last
year, he paid his taxes with dollar bills.

Alford loaded a garbage can with $21,333 in Susan B. Anthony dollar
coins, and he carried a sign that read, "Property taxes gone wild."

"I'm letting them know I'm a very unhappy taxpayer," he said.

Alford said his property taxes have gone up 48 percent since 2006, and
tax relief recently passed by the Indiana Legislature has done nothing
for people who own rental property.

"The owner who lives in their property got all kinds of tax breaks.
They don't give you no homestead exemption, no mortgage exemption,
nothing," he said. "You're paying double what you're paying than owning
your own home."

Alford, a retiree with two hip replacements, loaded what he estimated
was 400 pounds of coins and then headed inside to the treasurer's
office to settle up.

Deputy clerk Bette Buechler did a quick tally of Alford's property taxes.

When asked if the office has to accept the Susan B. Anthony coins,
Buechler said, "I think I'm understanding if it comes in pennies, we
don't have to."

A Floyd County deputy sheriff was asked to lend a hand getting the money to a nearby bank to be counted.

As for Alford, this may not be his last protest.

"If we don't get some relief, it may be in quarters, dimes or pennies next year," he said. "I'm angry at them."

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