Sales tax revenue continues to increase
Vehicle tax information will soon be available on county website
Staff reporter
Marion County Commissioners heard some good news Monday from county clerk Carol Maggard regarding December sales tax revenue.
The sales tax for December 2003, collected in January and distributed in February, was $45,362, an increase of $8,062 from the previous month.
December sales tax figure for 2002 was $38,434.
This December figure is the highest since 2000, $46,140.
Maggard reported to the commission the position of communications supervisor, filled by county communications employee Marjeana Cheevers, had no change in salary.
In other business:
— Gerald Kelsey, road and bridge superintendent, and Jim Herzet, road supervisor, presented two sealed area fuel bids for approval.
Commission approved area two to Cardie Oil Company and areas one, three, and four to Cooperative Grain and Supply.
The total amount paid to Cardie Oil Company will be $2,353 for 2,150 gallons of fuel at $1.0947 per gallon.
The total amount paid to Cooperative Grain and Supply will be $4,774 for 4,400 gallons of fuel at $1.085 per gallon.
— Jeannine Bateman, county treasurer, requested and received permission to provide a vehicle tax estimator via the county's website.
The website service is provided by Sedgwick County at a cost of $225 for the initial setup and $250 per year for the service fee.
Individuals can enter the county's website and obtain tax and tag information before purchasing a vehicle, said Bateman. The service should be available within 60 to 90 days.
— Commission received a letter from the state historical society regarding an application for the Bichet school building on the national historic register.
— Commission approved $100 donation to the Marion Lake Association, the same amount as previous two years.
— Commission approved an application for emergency management grant funds. The funds are not available at this time but application must be received when funds do become available.
— Commission approved February vouchers and payroll in the amount of $516,525.
— Commission entered a 20-minute executive session to discuss personnel. Meeting reconvened with no decisions.
— Commission entered in a 10-minute executive session with Dianne Carter-Frantz to discuss personnel issues. Meeting reconvened with commission approving the advancement of seven days of vacation to Carter-Frantz. Commission also announced Carter-Frantz's family medical leave was pending.
— Bob Hein, commissioner, made motion and recommendation to appoint Gary Unruh as clerk of the Durham township. Commission approved the appointment. Unruh will serve Ben Goertz's remaining term.
— Bill Smithhart, county noxious weed and household hazardous waste director, submitted a contract with KDOT for approval. The annual contract is for weed treatment on state right-of-ways. Commission approved the contract as presented.
Leroy Wetta, commission chairman, asked Smithhart about the weed department's heating bill. The amount was $265 and Wetta thought it was high. Smithhart was instructed to monitor the situation for possible problems with heating unit.
The next meeting of the county commission is at 9 a.m. Monday in the courthouse.
