Tax due date changed; meeting rules, too

Wise County supervisors voted Thursday to extend the due date for first-half real estate taxes from May 31 to June 25 because of the coronavirus emergency.

While they were convened as usual in the county school board’s Education Center meeting room, supervisors also passed an ordinance requiring all Wise County public boards to meet electronically over the next 60 days, unless the rule is amended before then.
The ordinance will be in effect no longer than six months.

It states that county public bodies must post notice at least three days before any electronic meeting, identifying how citizens can participate.

For public hearings, comments can be solicited “by electronic means in advance” and by phone or other electronic means during a meeting.

Meeting minutes can be approved at an electronic meeting, but they must be approved again at an in-person meeting after the emergency ends.

Any deadlines requiring action by a county public entity, its officers and employees are suspended for now.

Non-emergency public hearings and action items may be postponed.