City council candidate alleges Bardstown mayor delinquent on taxes

Bardstown Mayor Bill Sheckles.

By JIM BROOKS
Nelson County Gazette

Sept. 11, 2012, 11:30 p.m. — A Bardstown City Council candidate alleged Tuesday night that Mayor Bill Sheckles is delinquent on taxes on property he owns and a business he once operated. The comments came during a public hearing to gather input regarding the city’s proposed property and personal tax rates.

John Royalty, a former councilman who is seeking office again, was the first to speak once the hearing was opened to public comment.

Royalty said in his research, he found it hard to believe there are people who haven’t paid their property tax and school tax bills. Without naming names, he cited an unpaid 2009 Bardstown Independent Schools tax bill, two unpaid city property tax bills and two 2005 tax liens for unpaid taxes — all of which he said were unpaid as of Sept. 6.

“I want to know why they haven’t been paid,” Royalty said. “Do you know, Mayor?”

JOHN ROYALTY

“You didn’t mention who it was,” Sheckles replied.

“You,” Royalty said, looking at Sheckles.

Sheckles’ appeared puzzled as Royalty once again listed the delinquent tax bills. “I want to know why we aren’t collecting taxes from people who don’t pay,” Royalty said again.

“I don’t know where you got your information,” Sheckles said, with Royalty interjecting “down at the clerk’s office.” Royalty explained how he researched the tax bills and confirmed the delinquent bills remain unpaid.

“Well, there’s been a mistake,” Sheckles said, adding that you can’t sell a business if it has back taxes unpaid. Sheckles and his wife, Linda, formerly owned Still Bill’s, a Bardstown bar and restaurant located on Guthrie Drive. The Kentucky Secretary of State’s records show that Sheckles and his wife incorporated the business, Still Bill’s Inc.,  in 1991. The bar and restaurant no longer exist, but the for-profit corporation Sheckles created remains in good standing.

Royalty told Sheckles if the information he had was incorrect, the mayor should contact tax officials because the liens were not released, which would indicate the delinquent taxes were paid.

“I can’t say if they were released, I just know they’ve been paid,” Sheckles insisted.

“According to the state and the city, they have not been, and according to the clerk’s office they have not been,” Royalty said, adding that he spent five hours researching the tax bills.

“I’m not here to argue the point,” Royalty said. “You have outstanding people who haven’t paid their taxes and they should. That includes individuals and business owners.”

In regard to the issue of property taxes, Royalty said the council should strive for better management practices rather than seeking tax increases. “The business owners and property owners can’t take anymore. Enough is enough,” he said.

After the hearing Royalty showed the Gazette his copies of the unpaid tax bills he uncovered in his research. Asked for comment on Royalty’s allegations, Sheckles told the Gazette, “It’s not worth commenting on.”

Bardstown resident Kevin Brumley spoke during the hearing, suggesting talk of a tax hike was a “moot point” given this is an election year. He said it would be political suicide for the council to approve a tax increase right before an election.

Brumley said home foreclosures are still happening in record numbers, noting that city government has more than $6 million in unrestricted reserves.

“I don’t know why you need more,” he said, referring to tax revenue. “That’s a pretty good rainy day fund.”

Councilman Tommy Reed said that regardless of it being an election year, as a councilman he didn’t see the need for more taxes and wouldn’t support a higher tax rate.

The hearing was adjourned at 6:41 p.m.

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