Halifax County commissioners today gave KapStone a nearly $20,000 break on late listing penalties which the paper manufacturer contended it shouldn’t even have to pay.

The $19,437 break came after lengthy discussion, an initial vote to turn down the company’s appeal for the entire late list penalty amount of $52,940 and a five-minute recess to discuss the amount of the ultimate appeal, a late listing penalty reflecting what the company owed this year. The company has paid all the discovery taxes it owed since 2007, an amount totaling $576,800.

The payment was done not because the company agreed with the county but because the company wanted to avoid taking itself and the county through a lengthy and expensive legal battle, its tax director, Bruce Rifkind, told the board. “The property was assessed for more than what we paid.”

The company paid its appeals by Aug. 31 and wanted the remaining $52,940 forgiven.

County Tax Assessor Charles Graham told commissioners he had no legal authority to forgive the penalty but the commissioners could either forgive the entire debt or offer a compromise, which was ultimately done.

Commissioner Rives Manning objected to forgiving the company. “I think we would be in danger of setting a dangerous precedent if we approved this,” he said. He explained later in the discussion the board recently turned down an appeal of local developer Mike Davis.

Manning motioned to turn down the appeal and it passed unanimously, with board Chairman Gene Minton and Commissioner Carolyn Johnson absent.

Vice Chairman James Pierce said, however, there was interest among most board members in forgiving at least the $19,437. The board recessed for five minutes to get figures.

Graham recommended if the board chose to offer a compromise to do so from the 2009 listing penalty because it would be a simpler process.

“That’s what KapStone was hoping the board would do,” Rifkind said.

Manning voted against the measure, which passed 3-1