Increase comes from pipeline payment

By ADAM STEWART

Staff writer

Marion County received $84,056 in sales tax for March sales, an increase of $30,585 from March 2009.

The biggest increase was in compensating use tax, which was $40,220. In a typical month, compensating use tax totals about $4,000, Marion County Treasurer Jeannine Bateman told commissioners Monday. Compensating use tax for March 2009 was $5,044.

Initially, she thought the amount was because of a misplaced decimal point. Bateman inquired at the state level about the amount, and she was told a large amount was from pipeline activities.

“Finally, some good news,” Commissioner Dan Holub said.

Compensating use tax is a tax paid on merchandise purchased out of state at a lower tax rate. The amount of compensating use tax equals the difference in tax between Kansas and where a product was purchased.

Holub said he had asked whether the county would receive sales tax on the pipe itself but hadn’t received any answers.

Solid waste assessment appeals examined

Transfer Station Director Rollin Schmidt and Environmental Health Director Tonya Richards urged commissioners to eliminate or limit appeals of the county’s solid waste assessment.

The county spends too much time on appeals, Schmidt said. Approved appeals also reduce the transfer station’s operating budget. He urged commissioners to eliminate the exemption for vacant residences.

Schmidt owns some land in Harvey County, and he has to pay Harvey County’s assessment despite not having a house on the land, he said.

County Clerk Carol Maggard said numerous reasons for appeal have been added since the implementation of the solid waste assessment.

“The process has become cumbersome is what happened,” Schmidt said.

Commission Chairman Randy Dallke said he wanted to carefully review the rules before making a decision. Changes are unlikely to be made this year.

In other business:

• Communities in Schools of Marion County Director Linda Ogden spoke to commissioners about the programs provided in the county. The organization brings about $200,000 of grant funds into the county annually, Ogden said. Communities in Schools receives $6,000 per year from the county through the Health Department.
• Commissioners said they would stand behind Schmidt in aggressive enforcement of statutes requiring property owners work to eliminate musk thistle. He said he wanted assurances of the commission’s support in light of recent petitions. Dallke urged him to keep careful documentation of his efforts.
• Marion County Transfer Station will purchase a rubber bumper to protect the cutting edge of a newly purchased skid steer from Setco for $616. Schuyler Rubber Company bid $798.
• Markley Service, of Marion, will provide 30 gallons of the herbicide Remedy, 5 gallons of Milestone in 2.5-gallon jugs, and 9 gallons of Milestone in 1-quart containers for $5,755. Ag Service, of Hillsboro, bid $6,180. The herbicides will be sold to farmers in the county’s cost-share program.
• Marion County Transfer Station sent 639 tons of municipal solid waste, 99 tons of construction and demolition waste, 11 tons of white goods, and about 500 pounds of tires to a landfill in Butler County in May.
• Commissioners met in closed session for 50 minutes to conduct department head evaluations and review employee evaluations.

The next commission meeting will be Monday.