At their monthly meeting Thursday, Phelps County officials discussed the most recent ongoing issues confronting county government, including declining sales tax revenues and the appointment of two people to the Board of Equalization.
County Treasurer Carol Green reported sales tax revenues had decreased by 9 percent in May, as compared to the same month last year. Year-to-date, sales tax revenues register a 2.24-percent decline, she said.
“Similar counties also are experiencing declines,” Green said. “No one shows ‘a positive’ on sales tax.”
Presiding Commissioner Randy Verkamp said the Commission would need to review the budget at the end of June.
Moreover, Verkamp explained, the Road and Bridge Department already accrued flood-related expenditures exceeding $500,000, from a total yearly budget set at $2.5 million.
However, with the recent notification from the Federal Emergency Management Agency stating Phelps County was approved for federal funds to assist with the clean-up and repairs associated with damages sustained from the multiple-flood events in May, Verkamp remained optimistic about the financial constraints on the department’s budget.
In addition to federal reimbursements for flood-related expenses, Verkamp said, the county also was eligible for reimbursements for implementing hazard mitigation measures, or projects to forestall recurring weather-related damages.
Phelps County Clerk Carol Bennett explained the cost-share percentages of federal and state aid: Seventy percent of the actual cost to repair storm-damaged roads and public structures is reimbursed by federal funds; 20 percent is reimbursed by state funds; and Phelps County pays 10 percent of all costs.
Bennett reminded all attendees that representatives from FEMA would be meeting with Phelps County and municipal officials at 9 a.m. Monday, June 29, in the multipurpose room at the County Courthouse, to explain the reimbursement process.
The commissioners also extended their gratitude to Harold Bennish and Gene Gaddy, who accepted appointments to the Board of Equalization, which meets in July.
The seven-member BOE meets once a year to review and render judgments on appeals filed by county property owners who disagree with property assessments.
So far, the county has received only one appeal, Bennett said.
Other matters reviewed by the Phelps County Commission on Thursday included the following items:
• Commissioner Larry Stratman, District 1, reminded county officials that a meeting to discuss the “employee leave policy” was scheduled at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, July 1, in the Commission meeting room. Stratman said the discussion would focus on ensuring the policy was consistent with other large companies, in order to remain competitive, and also on methods to improve record-keeping processes.
