Marion County tax sale process continues, no date set
A county tax sale for delinquent property taxes continues to move forward but not as quickly as preferred.
Marion County Commissioner Randy Dallke expressed concerns Nov. 30 at the amount of time and expense required for a sale.
Susan Robson, county attorney, was asked why personnel from her law firm was hired to do the work for the sale. Robson responded a secretary from the private practice had typed legal descriptions for tax sales for the past three sales because county personnel did not have time to do the work and overtime pay was not permitted.
It took the secretary 10 hours to type the documents.
Robson said property owners have to be served. If they are not served because their location is not known, then a notice is placed in a newspaper.
Additional time also is needed for those properties with federal tax liens or other federal government connections, Robson said.
In other business:
— A survey was completed by the county regarding health insurance through Kansas Association of Counties. Premiums are paid to a pool without a possibility of a return of premium for years when fewer claims are made.
The commission said it was not comfortable in committing the county for five years with the insurance as required by the KAC-sponsored insurance.
— The commission approved a renewal of a cereal malt beverage (3.2 beer) license for Canada Bait & Tackle for packaged sales.
County clerk Carol Maggard said notice was sent to the township where the business is located. There is a 10-day protest period allowed.
— Maggard was authorized to purchase election equipment.
— Sheriff Lee Becker reported the insurance company had settled on the department's car that was totaled in a recent accident. The company will give $7,000 to the county for the car and will pay for the removal and installation of equipment.
Becker also reported that a transmission needed to replaced in another deputy's car.
The commission instructed Becker to obtain bids for a new patrol car.
— Eighth Judicial Chief Judge Michael Powers reported there appears to be sufficient funds in the 2005 court budget to purchase budgeted equipment. The department had requested the county assist the department by paying 50 percent of the expense for video equipment. The county agreed to participate in the approximately $12,000 project.
Powers said the court's half could be paid from the 2005 budget, and the county's half could be paid from the 2006 budget.
Maggard said the commission will have a better idea of the status of the budget at the Dec. 12 commission meeting.
— Dallke instructed Maggard to send letters to the Economic Development Task Force to advise them the job offer made to the first candidate was declined by the candidate.
Dallke wants the task force to advise the commission of their next step of advertising or other options.
— Vouchers and payroll for $899,592 were approved. Of that amount, $260,510 was for work completed on a road project, said Maggard.
— County sales tax collected during September was $51,715, the highest September total in at least six years, said Maggard.
— The commission reviewed applications for the noxious weed/hazardous household waste superintendent position.
Two candidates were chosen and will be interviewed.
