Commissioner Levent Pays Taxes On Time For First Time Since 2017
After public scrutiny, beleaguered Commissioner Todd Levent has paid his business property taxes on time for the first time in years. Records show Levent has been perennially late on his taxes, requiring Forsyth County to place multiple liens on his property before he finally paid the outstanding balances.
Levent, who is the first Commissioner to be censured by his fellow board members in County history, paid his 2022 taxes on time, the first time he has done so since 2017. The County relies on tax payments to fund government activities such as road construction, law enforcement, park and recreation expenses, and more. The vast majority of citizens make timely tax payments, which funds ongoing County expenses.
The County has filed liens on Levent’s property for unpaid taxes in 2014, 2016, 2018, 2019, and 2021. Levent has not commented publicly on his unpaid taxes, which are tied to a property he tried to rezone, sparking outrage and accusations of “bullying” by neighbors.
“It’s shocking to me Levent would collect his County salary while requiring the County to place liens on his property before he finally paid his taxes,” a Levent constituent commented. “Levent has been trying to raise his Government salary for years. He even tried to double his government salary a few years ago. Perhaps he should worry about paying his taxes like the rest of us before giving himself a raise. ”
Forsyth’s millage rate has risen 25% since Levent took office, and increased property valuations have driven the tax revenue even higher, bringing the County budget to an all time high in 2022.
The County budget has increased over 100% during Levent’s tenure, while the County’s population has increased 52%. After years of unsuccessful attempts, including votes to more than double his salary, Levent voted to raise his County salary 23% earlier this year. The raise goes into effect next year.
Records indicate the other four County Commissioners have a record of paying their taxes on time and have not had liens placed on their property for failure to make timely tax payments.
