Two public hearings Tuesday on Phelps County’s 2010 county levies yielded a slight reduction in tax rates and no comments from residents.
“The growth in sales-tax revenue has resulted in a reduction of our tax levies,” Presiding Commissioner Randy Verkamp said after the commission approved the levies.
The tax levy for the county’s Road and Bridge Fund decreased from $0.0933 in 2009 for every $100 of assessed property value to $0.0899 this year.
The tax levy for the General Revenue Fund decreased from $0.1521 in 2009 to $0.1466 for this year.
Verkamp reminded residents to continue to shop locally.
County Clerk Carol Bennett said the commission-approved tax levies would be sent to the Missouri State Auditor.
Also, commissioners agreed during Thursday’s session to amend the bylaws that govern the role of the Advisory Council of the Phelps County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program to eliminate any personnel or financial functions associated with the program.
While eliminating any responsibility of the council to determine how federal and other funds are spent on the program, the amended bylaws specify in what capacity the council operates.
Specifically, the council will take a more active role in assisting and advising the sponsors of the program (the Phelps County Commission) and the program’s director, Julie MacCash, on a variety of issues, including the following:
• Assessing community needs;
• Fundraising and resource development;
• Volunteer recruitment, retention and recognition strategies;
• Linking the project with other community service resources;
• Programming for impact and performance measurement;
• How trends in the community are affecting seniors;
• Supporting the development of a service ethic;
• Suggesting candidates for project staff positions;
• Assessing project accomplishments;
• Suggesting ways to increase project visibility and recognition.
