The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

County Increases GIS Fees

by Sally Day, The Quill

Henderson County Board members agreed to raise the GIS fees from $15 to $20.

The board talked about raising the fees to $25 during the March 13, 2012 meeting.

GIS (Geographical Information System) is the payment of documents recorded at the court house.

These include properties; such as mortgages, liens, and deeds. This increase will bring the amount to pay $47 per document.

In a discussion about this, the board mentioned they would look at this in the budget and decide whether to raise it again.

Zoning Officer Coral Seitz talked to the board about software package to assist with the mapping of county areas.

The Bruce Harris Company would place all the maps onto the software. Zoning Officer Seitz said she could add variances, chemical hazard locations, and flood maps, as in 100 year and 500 year flood maps.

Board member Curt Eisenmayer asked if this could include 911 mapping. "We should work toward that," he noted. The initial, one-time cost of this service would be $6,795 and $400 after the first year for maintenance. The board passed a motion to accept this service.

In other business the board:

• heard they had been offered the opportunity to own the "old bank building", now owned by members of the Willet Wandell family. Following a discussion, the board decided they were interested in the property, but would table the discussion for now.
• agreed to allow the family of Eileen Nolan to place a plaque in the yard of the courthouse, which would integrate Eileen Nolan's name with two other family members already there. This would be at no cost to the county.
• learned that Dollar General is moving ahead with placing a store in Oquawka. A development company is buying the property and building the building. Then Dollar General will rent the building.
• resolved to allow a variance for Gerald Clark, which had been passed by the Zoning Board. Clark was asking for a variance of 31' from the centerline in the middle of the road, to place a grain bin. The Ordinance calls for a 73' from the centerline.
• heard about an additional zoning variance for Larry McCormick, in which he wanted to divide four parcels of land into less than 5 acres. This property, formerly known as Christmas Tree Acres was found to be in a different zoning district, Slope District, rather than Ag District. Neighbors had protested to dividing the property into smaller parcels, but the problem resolved itself when it was discovered that under the Slope District, it could be made into 3 acre parcels.
• learned that the Zoning Officer accepted $87.80 in permit fees and that there was $20,400 in construction for the month of February.
• accepted a continued contract with Manatron, which includes tax software and computers. The contract was offered to the county for $14,000 less than it had been offered last year; the county also has a credit of $5000.
• passed a motion to accept a resolution from Adams County Board agreeing to Mid America Intermodal Authority Port District appointments.
• reappointed Robert McGraw and Jake Seitz Trustees to the Gulfport-Gladstone Fire District. Board member Tex Steward abstained from the vote.
• approved claims paid in February.
• approved minutes of the February 14, 2012 meeting.
• held roll call with all present.
• Pledged Allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America.