Legislature renews sales, use tax rate

YATES COUNTY--The Yates County Legislature voted to renew the increase of taxes on sales and uses of tangible personal property by 1 percent during their meeting Monday, Sept. 9. The resolution states the tax also affects “certain services, the occupancy of hotel rooms and amusement charges.” The legislation says this 1 percent tax was first passed in 2003 and will now run until Nov. 30, 2015.
Finance Committee Chairman Tim Dennis said he wanted to let the public know this is not a new tax, but a renewal of a current one. The resolution also states the sales and compensating use tax shall be identical to the taxes previously levied by the county and collected in the same manner as before.
In other business:
• The legislature approved a jail boarding inter-municipal agreement with Schuyler County which allows either sheriff to house inmates in the other county's jail at a cost of $85 per diem, expiring in December, 2018.
• The legislature adopted the 2014 workers' compensation budget at a cost of $316,944.52.
• The legislature voted to change the dates of their October and November meetings to Oct. 15 and Nov. 12 respectively at 6 p.m.
• Commissioner of Social Services Amy Miller gave a presentation to the legislature on the duties of her department. She said the purposes of the Department of Social Services (DSS) is to provide financial assistance to families who need it as well as assist children and families in cases of abuse or neglect. County Chairman Taylor Fitch said the DSS is a "lean" department and has eliminated and combined positions in the past.
• The legislature voted to create a part time assistant public defender position. the resolution states there were funds in the 2013 budget for the creation of this position.