|
|
Published October 15, 2008 09:50 pm - COLUMBUS, Kan. — Acknowledging the ailing economy and residents who complained of increased taxes, the Cherokee County Commission this week reduced the spending amount and tax rate from what it had proposed.
Cherokee County board trims increase in spending, taxes
By Roger McKinney
rmckinney@joplinglobe.com
COLUMBUS, Kan. — Acknowledging the ailing economy and residents who complained of increased taxes, the Cherokee County Commission this week reduced the spending amount and tax rate from what it had proposed.
The County Commission on Tuesday approved a 2009 budget with total spending of $14,241,985. That is $267,554 less than the proposed $14,509,539 budget that had been published. The approved budget represents an increase of $287,732 — about 2 percent — from estimated spending of $13,954,253 this year.
The tax rate corresponding with the approved budget is 53.815 mills. That’s a reduction from 55.998 mills in the proposed budget, but an increase from 51.324 mills under the current budget.
The new tax rate would result in property taxes of $618.87 on a house with a $100,000 market value. The homeowner paid property taxes to the county totaling $590.23 this year. Under the proposed budget, the homeowner would have paid property taxes of $643.98.
Those totals don’t include property-tax amounts related to city, state or school district budgets.
“Our population is declining, plus our taxes are increasing, and that’s creating more of a tax burden on each of us,” said county resident Mark Sell, who was with an organized group of residents and business people at the public hearing on the budget.
He said the group was asking the commission not approve the proposed budget.
“We’re not wanting to be part of the problem,” said Dave Soper, of Columbus. “We want to be part of the solution.”
Columbus resident Charlie Norris complained about the County Commission’s purchase of 12 new road graders last year, costing about $2 million. The annual payment on the graders is $278,000.
Commissioner Pat Collins bristled at the comment. He said the graders the county had before the new ones were purchased were primarily from 1988 and were costing the county too much to maintain. He said they also were inoperable much of the time.
“That’s the best purchase this county has ever made,” Collins said.
The residents also brought up spending by the Sheriff’s Department.
“There’s no way to hold that sheriff accountable?” asked Columbus resident and car dealer Mike Carpino.
•
Click to discuss this story with other readers on our forums.
|
|
Announcements



: Special Offer For New Subscribers
:


 |
|
|
|
1997 OLDSMOBILE 88
runs good, $1900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
2002 KIA OPTIMA EX
4 door, sharp, loaded, leather, CD, sunroof, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
1998 CHEVROLET TRACKER
removable hard tops, automatic, air, CD, sharp, $2500. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
2001 FORD WINDSTAR SE
Sport, loaded, all options, great looking van, extra nice, $3200. 1317 Schifferdecker, Joplin....>MORE
TOYOTA 2004 TACOMA PRERUNNER
Toyota, 2004 Tacoma Prerunner, TRD off road, double cab, V6, new tires, CD, bed liner, lid cover, 100,000 miles, excelle...>MORE
HONDA, 2007 FIT SPORT,
customized interior package, automatic, air, AM/FM/CD, cruise, great mpg, low miles, excellent condition, $11,800. (417)...>MORE
1993 CHEVROLET LONG BED
runs good, 4.3 V6, new transmission, needs body parts, $400. (417)438-2508...>MORE
2002 BUICK RENDEZVOUS
4 door, luxury leather trim, loaded, CD, sunroof, beautiful rig, extra nice, $4500. 1317 Schifferdecker...>MORE
2002 FORD TAURUS SE
nice car, 3.0 liter V6, $2900. 417-850-0731....>MORE
JEEP 2000 CHEROKEE SPORT
JEEP, 2000 Cherokee Sport, 6 1/2” lift, 35” foggers, locked front end, welded rear end, off road use, winch not included...>MORE
See all ads |
|
Deerfield Estates
in Carl Junction, prime building sites, reduced $10,000 each. 417-825-0052...>MORE
NEWER 3 BR/2 BA
Lots of upgrades and great location. $149,000 but all offers considered. 903 Katlin, Carl Junction. Pictures www.fsboloc...>MORE
See all ads |
|
YORKIES
12 weeks old, 2 males, AKC, 1st shots, $175. 417-291-6590, Webb City...>MORE
(2) TEACUP CHIHUAHUA
APRI puppies. (417)673-1997....>MORE
DIAMOND SOLITAIRE
Pear-shaped, one carat, diamond solitaire in gold setting. $2,000. Please call 417-825-3238...>MORE
POODLE, FULL BLOODED
POODLE, full blooded, $75 or best offer. (417)385-8710 after 4:30 p.m....>MORE
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES
INDIAN HEAD PENNIES, 35% Civil War II nickels, V nickels, Buffalo nickels, lots of other coins. Garage full of antiques ...>MORE
ANGUS HEIFERS
6 Augus heifers, good foundation stock. (417)358-7519...>MORE
REWARD $50,000 REWARD
Offered for any information leading to conviction of any person or persons known to have been involved in alleged ...>MORE
POODLES
POODLES, standard pups, born 10/10, registered, shots, wormed, family raised. Adorable personalities! 417-673-3892....>MORE
MALTESE PUPPIES ADORABLE!!
6 weeks old Thanksgiving. 2 boys and 2 girls. Shots, wormed, and vet checked. Healthy, active, and loved! Great Ch...>MORE
5TH WHEEL
5TH WHEEL, 2004 Prowler Regal, 26’, 2 slides, loaded, nice. (620)674-2127....>MORE
See all ads |
|
 |
|