By MIKE COURSON
Great Bend Post
State, county, city. Sometimes the difference is negligible for taxpayers when it comes to paying bills, but agency budgets hang on that difference. Barton County Treasurer Jim Jordan expressed frustration to the commission Wednesday morning about the county doing the state's work and losing money in the process.
"As you're all aware, the state has mandated that motor vehicle operations are done through the treasurer's office," Jordan said. "Along with that, the state is supposed to fund the operations of that out of our office."
That has not been the case in Kansas, Jordan said. According to him, the Riley County Treasurer's Office ran at a $450,000 deficit last year. Barton County ran a $120,000 deficit.
"The state receives 85 percent of the fee revenue while counties receive 15 percent of the current model," Jordan said. "Currently, the treasurer's office in most all counties is running in the red. This includes Barton County from motor vehicle operations."
This spring, the Kansas House voted 114-6 to approve a bill that would have shifted fees to help the counties doing the work. The bill, which would have yielded counties more money and saved taxpayers an average of $2.36 a transaction, died on the senate floor without a vote.
"By eliminating the facility fee and modernization fee, the average customer's fee would decrease by $2.36," said Jordan. "Unfortunately, the senate president - and let me give him a shout-out - Ty Masterson, and majority leader Larry Alley, would not put the bill up for debate or move it above line so the senators could vote on it."
Jordan said the Association of Treasurers intends to reintroduce the bill during the next legislative session. Commissioners Jennifer Schartz and Barb Esfeld pledged support for the bill. Commission Chair Shawn Hutchinson agreed.
"The state representatives, it would be helpful to all of us if they all worked in county government before they went to the state," he said. "Then they could see how some of the things they're doing actually impact boots on the ground."
"It's amazing how two senators can hold a bill that helps all the counties, not just a few," Jordan answered. "It's appalling."
Jordan said his office has resorted to doing small things to save every penny. "We don't hand out envelopes anymore," he said. "It used to be when you did a renewal we gave you an envelope every time. We try not to do that now. We try to reuse just to save costs. It's not much but every little penny counts."