At 9:30am on Thursday morning, July 13th, commissioners, Carla McBee and Greg Morris met along with County Clerk Jessica Davis and County Project Coordinator, Bengy Swanson to discuss revision to the Coal Severance Tax the county receives each year. Also in the meeting, Ms. Sue Miller, county book keeper.

Each July 15 the Commissioners adjust their previous Julyás estimate of the funding the county will receive each year from the tax.

Last July, 2022, the commission estimated the county would receive $7,500,000.00 in the next twelve months. Actual tax funding balance as of July 1, 2023 was $9,499,081.89. The county received $1,999,081.89 in excess of their last yearás estimate.

Prior to July 15, 2023 four capital project were applied to the tax. The county sheriffás departmentás purchased five new cruisers, $250,000.00. New buildings for the 4-H camp, $500,000.00. Install retaining wall at 4-H grounds, $500,000.00. Work on the Memorial Building, $750,810.00.

The total expenditures for the four capital projects is $1,999,081.89. Deduct this sum from the actual tax income number, $9,499,081.89 and the resulting number in the countyás Coal Tax Severance is $7,500,000.00.

Commissioners McBee and Morris voted to approve the Coal Severance Fund balance revision.

Another item the commissionás addressed from Project Coordinator, Bengy Swanson was to approve the payment of $17,747.00 for ERB electric to replace locks at the 4-H Camp with electronic push button locks, replace the older style key locks. This changing will give added security to the buildings at the 4-H Camp.

Bengy Swanson also requested the commission approve Casto Heating and Cooling restart the court house air condition unit with system adjustment that would improve a high humidity issue inside the building. Commissioners McBee and Morris approved the request to pay Casto $10,148.00 for system adjustments.