Clay County commissioners this afternoon approved a 24-cent property tax levy to fund road and bridge maintenance.
Today’s decision comes three days after commissioners voted on Monday not to raise the levy. The measure today was approved by a 2 to 1 vote during a special meeting in Liberty. Missouri law requires that all levies be set by today.
County Administrator Alexa Barton said the money is needed to help the county get out of what has become a legal dilemma involving its road and bridge maintenance districts.
A Circuit Court judge’s decision in December is forcing the county to restore funding to 19 cities and five special road districts within the county that use the money to repair bridges, streets and roads. An outside auditor is recommending the county set aside as much as $6.1 million from its 2008 general operating budget to pay money it will owe for road and bridge maintenance, Barton said.
At the levy rate of 24 cents for every $100 of assessed valuation, the owner of a home valued at $200,000 will pay about $110 in additional property taxes. Persons who do not own real estate but own personal property valued about $20,000 would pay an additional $16 in taxes.
The county does not collect property taxes for its operations, instead relying primarily on sales taxes.
On Thursday, Presiding Commissioner Ed Quick recommended commissioners set a levy at 24 cents to fund road and bridge districts in 2008. That levy is expected to generate $8.1 million in 2008, he said.
To reach Glenn E. Rice<, call (816) 234-5908.
