Riley County Commission 10/24/13

BOCC 10/24/13

All commissioners present

     Robert Nall from the IT/GIS department discussed the need for improved network backup.  The proposed solution would need $160,000.  The Register of deeds has offered $50,000 from their Tech fund, the Public Works dept. offers $50,000 to assist which leaves $10,000 to be allocated from the IT/GIS budget.
     Clancy Holman introduced a review of matters to be presented at the Legislative Conference this afternoon.
     One item to be discussed is Senate bill 181 which would reduce the motor vehicle tax from 20% currently to 12% in 2017, reducing incoming dollars by $666,031 every ensuing year.
     Greg Mclure, appraiser will discuss equipment and machinery tax exemptions.
     Loss of previous financial support from the state since 2002 has  cost the county an estimated $22,199,758.  This includes loss of Local Ad Valorum Tax Reduction, Revenue sharing, City/County highway, Commercial Industrial Machinery and Equipment, Business&Machinery elimination and vehicle tax plus unfunded mandates from the state.  More detailed information on this can be found on the county website, search for "budget",
     Another item to be discussed at the meeting will be SB109 which puts severe restraints on lobbying of state legislators by public officials.  Only if the legislator has asked the person would it be legal, otherwise it could be a class C misdemeanor !
     Should be an interesting meeting with the local legislators.
Julie Merklin, observer