County Mapping Fees Not Keeping Up With Expense
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[Bruce Harris and Associates are retained by Perry County to electronically map the unincorporated areas of Perry County and are now working on their second contract to create an electronic map of the incorporated areas.
But, the income from fees to cover the costs of mapping is not keeping up with its costs.
The Perry County Board authorized Treasurer Bill Taylor to transfer money from the general fund to pay the $14,992 owed to Bruce Harris and Associates for GIS mapping services.
County Clerk Kevin Kern said that the number of filings has dropped, leading to the shortage of funds. In addition to fewer filings, a second mapping contract took effect in January, raising the monthly obligation to $3,800.
"The fees are bringing in, every three months, enough to pay for two months," Taylor said. "We're a little short and with the additional contract, there will be a greater shortage."
Kern explained that the only way to raise the filing fees to cover the actual cost is to conduct a cost study, have the board accept it and then pass an ordinance to raise the fees.
The board asked if the money from the general fund could be reimbursed once the cost study and ordinance are passed. Kern said it is unlikely.
"As long as you have these contracts, there will never be a surplus in that fund," he said.
Taylor also brought to the board's attention a problem with the Public Defender's salary. Perry County had agreed to pay a salary set by the state. The state then reimbursed 66 percent of the salary.
Taylor said the county has not received a reimbursement payment since July 2009. The agreement the county approved allows the salary to revert back to the previous level if no payment is received for 60 days.
State's Attorney David Stanton suggested the board follow a procedure similar to the one where they find the landfill in default. The issue will be placed on the agenda for the next meeting.
Taylor said the landfill would be two quarters behind if no payment was received by Thursday, April 15. That issue will most likely be placed on the agenda for the next meeting, as well.
In other business, the board:
appointed Desiree Valdez to the Western Egyptian Economic Opportunity Council.
heard a complaint from Rita Schwebel about the proposed construction of a daycare center in her home. Schwebel read a prepared statement accusing Zoning Administrator Jeff Ashauer of negligence in his duties. She demolished the porch, carport, shed and patio on her property in preparation for building plans that were not approved by the Zoning Board. She said Ashauer had rejected her latest proposal, as well. The board directed Rita Schwebel to present alternate building plans to the Zoning Board of Appeals.