The value of property in Adair County has increased by almost $90 million this year, and that news helped the fiscal court decide on tax rates that could mean a small pay reduction for some landowners.
At the same time, the court based its decision on some inaccurate information. Judge Executive Larry Russell Bryant and Deputy Judge Bridget Compton reported on a conversation with PVA Landon Edwards just before the meeting about the tax rate, but the numbers they provided magistrates were not correct.
Compton said Edwards had not seen the paperwork the county received from the state pertaining to setting the tax rate, but Edwards thought the county would only receive an additional $9,000 if they set the tax rate at a 4 percent increase.
The paperwork the county received shows differently, however, and a 4 percent increase would have generated an additional $39,000 for the county, not $9,000. The county can set up to a 4 percent increase without allowing a public recall.
The court voted to go with the compensating rate, which basically brings in around the same amount of revenue from the same property. That does not include revenue the county will receive on new property.
Last year’s rate for real property was 14.5 cents per $100 in value. This year’s compensating rate, which the court approved, is 13.8 cents. The rate for a 4 percent increase would have been 14.3 cents, still under last year’s rate. The approved rate is expected to generate just under $1.1 million.
The court also approved a personal tax rate of 18.15 cents and watercraft and motor vehicle rates of 11.2 cents.
Total assessment for the county of Adair is $912 million, with real estate making up $795 million of that.
Also during the meeting, Billy Coffey and Mark Humphress, who are members of the parks and recreation committee, gave a report about repairs and cleanup needed at the Jim Blair Recreation Center. The court voted to bid for repairs of the basketball court, and to remove lumber sitting in a pavilion and approved it as surplus property.
The court approved first reading to remove Craycraft Lane from county maintenance and a portion of Ray Coffey Road, starting at .45 miles to the end of the road.
Second reading was approved for a portion of Mockingbird Road to be removed from county maintenance and to change the name of the part remaining a county road to Mockingbird East. Second reading was also approved for a 25-mph speed limit on Felton Fudge Road.
The court tabled an ordinance pertaining to solar panels with plans to meet and learn more about the issue.
Erin Peneur was hired as a custodian at the judicia center at $12.75 an hour. Mark Dykes was appointed to the Columbia Adair Utilities District board of directors.
The courthouse committee received approval for payment of final bills for the first phase of the courthouse restoration project. Plans were made to bid for a contract to install a new roof on the building.
The court gave approval to pay Walls Heating and Cooling $8,000 to replace an A/C unit at the 911 center.
By Sharon Burton
snburton@adairvoice.com
