Montgomery County considers options on taking action against companies with outstanding tax debt on oil and gas wells.

 

At Monday’s County Commission meeting. County Treasurer Mandi Hargis and County Appraiser Melody Kikkert answered questions from commissioners as to what action could be taken to force companies to pay their tax debt. Hargis says one move would be to involve the Kansas Corporation Commission.

 

According to Hargis, one Bartlesville-based company Gateway Resources owes more than $590,000 going back to 2017. Commissioner Robert Bever suggested the county might put pressure on landowners and says it’s an issue of fairness.

 

Commissioner Phil Clubine adds that the county should focus on the companies and not the land owners.

 

The commission approved sending a letter to companies with outstanding debt, notifying them that they had 45 days to pay in full before more aggressive collection efforts begin.