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BOS Approves FY 08 Budget at Same Tax Rates

Lisa Watson McCarty
Publisher

Supervisors took little time in adopting the 2007-08 fiscal year budget during an adjourned meeting held last Wednesday evening.

With no increases planned for county tax rates and decisions to use surplus county funds to balance the budget, business before the board was quickly conducted. Real estate tax rates and rates charged to public service corporations for 2007 remain at 69 cents per $100 of assessed value.

Merchants' capital and machinery and tool taxes are also constant at 72 cents while personal property taxes stay at $1.40. Even though the majority of the hard decisions had been previously made, Interim County Administrator Kathie Noe explained less money from the county's coffers would be used to balance the budget.

In the advertised budget, $2.963 million was allocated from surplus funds to avert a tax increase. Noe said an $8,000 change in the Department of Social Services' budget was in favor of the county. The board approved the amended budget which includes $2.955 million coming from the fund balance to settle the $21.7 million budget.

Board Chairman Dr. David Redwine was complementary towards Noe's management of the county's budget during this year's meeting. Kathie stepped in and did a great job," Redwine said. "I have to say that she has been very open and honest during the budget process and willing to do whatever was necessary to find us the answers. "The more information we have to make these decisions, it makes our job easier and runs much more smoothly."

Noe explained she couldn't have done the job of preparing the budget without assistance from other employees in the county office.

The board also set its Personal Property Tax Relief Act (PPRTA) percentage at 62 percent on a recommendation by the county treasurer and commissioner of revenue. Under the terms of the act, personal use vehicles valued at less than $1,000 are not taxed; personal use vehicles valued between $1,000 and not more than $20,000 are eligible for the 62 percent reduction; and personal use vehicles valued at more than $20,000 are eligible for 62 percent tax relief on the first $20,000.

PPRTA is not available on business use vehicles, farm vehicles, motor homes and other vehicles. The act was part of former Governor Jim Gilmore's "No Car Tax" pledge, which was never fully implemented by the state.

The new budget provides $5.2 million to the school system, $2.4 million for expenses at the landfill including the construction of a transfer station, $1.9 million for the sheriff's office and funding to more than 70 other categories.

The board also took the time to handle a little business during the meeting. They formally approved a resolution for the declaration of a local emergency following leaks found in the Dungannon water storage tank.

The resolution was prompted by a letter from Dungannon Mayor Phillip Osborne who requested emergency assistance from the county. Osborne asked the county's emergency management agency to provide drinking and bottled water, jugs to distribute the water and the use of water buffaloes.

Noe reported that Dungannon officials were in the process of refilling its tank which is expected to be operational within three weeks. Edgar Hood was unanimously re-appointed to a three-year term on the Scott County Public Service Authority with District 6 Supervisor Chad Hood abstaining from the vote.

Gary Blankenbecler, director of Scott County Department of Social Services, was chosen for an additional three-year term on the Disability Services Board.

An appointment to the Lonesome Pine Regional Library Board was tabled until the regular July meeting set for July 3.

RADA will remain as the program administrator for the Indoor Plumbing Rehabilitation Programs that features funding from the Department of Housing and Community Development.

Following a very short closed session to discuss county administrator applications, the board adjourned until its July 3 regular meeting. All county meetings are open to the public.

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