County borrows $400,000 at first meeting of year

The Perry County Board passed a tax anticipation resolution to borrow $400,000 from Du Quoin State Bank at a rate of .6 percent.

The funds will be in place before the payroll checks are written this week.

County Clerk Josh Gross said that the first payroll of the year is always the largest because one-time payments such as stipends and clothing allowances are paid at that time. The fiscal year began Dec. 1.

The board approved the 2014 property tax levy for the county. The total amount is $3,339,900 which is six percent greater than last year's levy.

The board held a Truth in Taxation hearing on Friday, Nov. 28 to discuss the levy. The bulk of the increase is for the IMRF line item.

The Unit Road District levy of $602,500 for 2014 also was approved. The road district levy is only 1.2 percent higher than last year. Gross said that increased EAV may mean there is no actual difference in the unit road district levy.

In other business, the board:

• approved the 2015 county holidays, elected Bobby Kelly to serve as Chairman of the Board this year and set the meeting dates as 6 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month and 2 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month.