The Commission met November 8, 2018. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Bills were reviewed, approved and ordered paid.
Monthly department reports were reviewed and approved.
The commission held budget reviews with Collector Diane Livengood and Circuit Clerk Lorie Hall.
Clerk Taylor presented the 2018-2019 Financial Assurance Instrument (FAI) for Atchison County Sanitary Landfill, Permit #0100501, Atchison County Contract of Obligation. This contract is required as part of the post-closure of the solid waste disposal area. The landfill was officially closed in 1996 and the county is required to continue post-closure maintenance and report for 30 years. The Financial Assurance Instrument was reviewed and signed by Presiding Commissioner Livengood.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
The Commission met November 13, 2018. Present were: Presiding Commissioner Curtis Livengood, North District Commissioner Jim Quimby, South District Commissioner Richard Burke, and Susette Taylor, Clerk of the Commission.
Presiding Commissioner Livengood called the meeting to order.
Minutes of the previous meeting were read and approved.
Bills were reviewed, approved and ordered paid.
Monthly department reports were reviewed and approved.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
August 2018
Additions to the Tax Books: 2017, $3,260.48; 2016, $43.67
Abatements from the Tax Books: 2016, $10.00
REAL PROPERTY
August 2018
There were no additions or abatements from the real books.
PERSONAL PROPERTY
September 2018
Additions to the Tax Books: 2017, $1,384.42
Abatements from the Tax Books: There were no abatements from the tax books in September.
REAL PROPERTY
September 2018
There were no additions or abatements from the real books.
Clerk Taylor presented the certified General Election results which will be attached to the record on file in the office.
The commission met with Jon Baker, EDF Developer for the Brickyard Hill Project, to discuss the sale of the project to Ameren. Present for the meeting were: Monica Bailey, ACDC Director; Ethan Sickels, Rock Port R-II Superintendent; Jeremy Burright, Fairfax R-3 Superintendent; Karma Coleman, Tarkio R-I Superintendent; State Representative Allen Andrews; Diane Livengood, Atchison County Collector; and Lori Jones, Atchison County Assessor. Presiding Commissioner Livengood opened with introductions and then Clerk Taylor explained the difference in which a public owned and a privately owned utility is assessed and why this is such a concern.
Everyone agreed that the best option is to pursue legislation that would allow wind power to be locally assessed no matter who it is owned by. Language for that change was presented to Representative Andrews, who has agreed to pre-file the bill in December. In the meantime, the language will be reviewed to make sure it is clear with the hope that Ameren will support the legislation.
Developer Baker explained that they were not aware that a state assessed utility took the tax dollars out of the local county. He expressed that they want the tax dollars to stay local as it allows a smooth working relationship within the counties.
The county attorney and the school district attorneys will coordinate with each other for presentation before the Public Service Commission. Everyone agreed that the county will seek an annual Payment in Lieu of Taxes in the amount of what the tax bill would have been if it were locally assessed and if received, distribute to all political subdivisions where the turbines are located. In addition, they would ask for Ameren’s support of new legislation allowing wind to be assessed locally.
In exchange for this agreement the county would agree to allow the project to be built according to the timeline and not attempt to slow it down by blocking agreements held by the county. Upon the passage of legislation, the PILOT payment would cease and the farm would be taxed locally.
The Commission thanked everyone for their time.
There being no further business, the commission adjourned.
