Iron County sales taxes hits record for July

By TOM LAVENTURE

[email protected]

Hurley — Sales tax revenues for July are the highest yet recorded, according to reports at the Iron County Board of Supervisors meeting on Tuesday.

In the county clerk’s report, Michael Saari said the county has recorded $60,820 in sales tax for the month of July. This is the highest sales tax collected ever in one month for the county, he said. 

The July sales tax for 2020 was $49,000, and in 2019 it was $48,800, he said. That is a $12,000 increase from each of the previous years, he said.

The county sales tax is now at $359,000 over the first seven months of the year, Saari said. The pace could put the county over $600,000 for the year, another first, after budgeting for an anticipated $510,000 in sales tax revenue.

Saari also reported that the annual budget process has started. The department budgets are due by the end of September.

The board approved a three-year union contract agreement with nine deputies of the county sheriff’s office. The contract has a 2% salary increase in 2022; a 3% increase in 2023, and a 3% increase in 2024.

Under the contract each deputy will provide his or her own health insurance upon retirement. The county savings would be around $6,500 annually per retired deputy.

In the committee and departments reports, forestry committee chair Thomas Thompson Jr., said the stumpage totals as of Tuesday were $1,145,513. This compared to $897,405 at the same time last year, he said.

“So, we’re doing good,” Thompson said.

Eric Peterson, forestry and parks administrator, said the department received the final payment of grant funds for reconstruction of Saxon Harbor and the campground from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The $182,000 payment completes a total of around $1.6 million in various DNR grants received in the past few months.

There are two federal grant reports currently under review and waiting response from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The FEMA projects would reimburse the project approximately $239,000 for an overall total of around $590,000.

Finance committee chair Opal Roberts said Nasi Construction was approved to start renovations to the county senior center building in Hurley. The project will improve restrooms, entrances and other areas of the building to be more compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act and the $50,000 cost comes from COVID-19 relief funds.

The finance committee approved approximately $34,000 for the purchase of a tractor with a lawnmower, bucket and snowblower attachment, she said. The equipment will be used for the senior center lawn and parking lot.

Board member Tommy Thompson Jr. disagreed with the purchase. He called the purchase excessive and poorly planned, and said that it sends a disappointing message to other departments regarding spending.

In her human services committee report, Roberts said there is a difference of opinion among members on the direction of the department. A bus for the Aging and Disability Resource Collaboration agency was delivered and usage and route plans are ongoing.

The Hurley senior meal site will open on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting Aug. 24, with dining limited to 30 persons each day, Roberts said. Other dining sites in the county are expected to open in September, if three essential staffing positions are filled by that time.

Roberts also said in her report that the county will no longer have to levy funds for subsidized guardianships that are now paid by the state.

The board went into executive session to discuss a possible contract for a carbon credit project. The board approved further research by having Eric Peterson pursue the carbon credit program and come back with a report next month.

If approved the annual program would allow the county to sell carbon credits for the trees that are not harvested. The credits would be sold on the open market through a third party company.

In other business, the county board approved:

—Moving the Aug 12 finance committee meeting to noon.

—The 2021-2025 recreation plan for the forestry and parks department.