Meeting planned to discuss county developer job
Staff reporter
A public meeting is planned for 7 p.m. April 20 by Marion County Commission to discuss a county economic development position and review the job description.
The meeting will be held in the courtroom at the courthouse.
The information was provided Monday by county clerk Carol Maggard at the Marion County Commission meeting.
Another public meeting will be held for input for the 2007 budget. Maggard will determine a May date with the fewest conflicts.
In other business:
— Maggard suggested letters be sent to legislators regarding the passing of a special sales tax for a new jail project. The bill still is in the senate tax committee.
— A county employee longevity plan was discussed but no decisions were made.
County treasurer Jeannine Bateman said other counties had been surveyed regarding plans and the two options presented were a combination of other plans.
One plan would give annual pay increases of $300, $600, $900, and $1,200 for five, 10, 15, and 20 years of service. A second plan would give the same pay increases but would give $1,200 for 20, $1,500 for 25, and $1,800 for 30 and more.
The performance evaluation would be separate from the bonus. The department heads determined it was more fair to give a flat bonus than one based on a percentage of an employee's salary.
"We have employees who have been here for 10 years and others who have been here for a year and make the same wage," said Michele Abbott-Becker, director of communications.
Commissioner Randy Dallke said he wanted to know what the cost would be to the county before making any decision.
— Leftover funds for the mold cleanup in the courthouse were unencumbered. The final cost was $1,645 less than the bid, so the difference was returned to the risk management fund.
— The commission will recognize volunteers during National Volunteer Week, April 23-29, with an ad in the four county newspapers.
— Maggard reported she had an opportunity to trade in a 10-year-old scanner used for counting ballots for a new scanner for a cost of $10,000-$15,000. The new scanner typically is sold for $65,000.
New election equipment will be delivered in May. The machines will automatically mark ballots per voters choices. One new machine will be located at each polling place within the county.
— County appraiser Cindy Magill reported there were 100 hearings scheduled which is the about the same amount as last year.
Dallke asked why the value of a property in Florence was set at $50,000 when a $35,000 minimum bid at an auction could not be attained. Magill said the computer looks at three years of sales history to determine the value of a property. If the owner doesn't notify the county of changes to the property such as deterioration, the county does not know to reduce the value. The appraiser's office inspects all properties on a six-year cycle.
Magill said she can't change the system or the tax amount but if someone has a question about their values, they need to call and plan a hearing.
The next commission meeting is at 9 a.m. Monday at the courthouse.
